Why do we use the word flash to describe flash memory ?

Flash memory is erasable, non-volatile memory. That is, it retains the data without power, but can be erased if desired.

The story is that a colleague of the inventor thought the erasure process was similar to the flash of a camera. Since the electrically-erasable characteristic was the most novel aspect, that name stuck.

Hope this helps,
WallyH

Some early non volatile memory units were ROM not RAM meaning Right once read many times. To clear these units you flashed them with a strobe that hit a small photovoltaic cell and cleared the stored data. There was usually a sticker or electrical tape over an aperture to prevent accidental erasure. I saw these modules in some old equipment(it was old 10 years ago). Basically the OS or an application was stored on the module and the flashing and rewriting process was done to update the software. This was not used in desktops but in devices like early digital Point of sales equipment and other devices.

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Originally Posted by cmeeks

Some early non volatile memory units were ROM not RAM meaning Right once read many times.

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Just a slight clarification:
ROM = Read Only Memory, where you write once and read many times (this is the one that would need to be flashed
RAM = Random Access Memory, memory that can be read from and written to in arbitrary sequence

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cmeeks

Some early non volatile memory units were ROM not RAM meaning Right once read many times. to clear these units you flashed them with a strobe that hit a small photovoltaic cell and cleared the stored data. There was usually a sticker or electrical tape over an aperture to prevent accidental erasure. I saw these modules in some old equipment(it was old 10 years ago). Basically the OS or an application was stored on the module and the flashing and rewriting process was done to update the software. this was not used in desktops but in devices like early digital Point of sales equipment and other devices.

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They still use rom today in many memory dependent systems. Like ecu's in the automotive industry. The rom's of old I worked with you had to use ultra violet to erase them. Sunlight could do the same thing under the right conditions too.