The Operating System

Abstract

Only the very simplest kind of microcomputer is without any form of backing store, that is, discs or cassettes. Any system which is as simple as this has all the programs which make it work stored in ROMs. Such programs are called firmware and they can only be changed by replacing one ROM with another. Anything in the way of instructions or data stored in RAM is transient, and disappears when the power is turned off. Only when cheap mass storage in the form of bubble memories becomes available will discs and cassettes be no longer necessary. Bubble memories have no moving parts and will eventually offer vast amounts of storage very cheaply — but they are still several years off yet.