
in-memory database
An in-memory database stores data directly in a computer's RAM (Random Access Memory) instead of on traditional disk drives. This allows for extremely fast data access and processing, as RAM is much quicker than disk storage. In-memory databases are often used in applications requiring real-time data analysis, like online transaction processing or analytics, where speed is crucial. Because they operate in memory, they require more RAM and may present challenges with data persistence during power outages, though many systems incorporate backups to address this.