On a laptop or desktop computer, which of the following components take care of (i) computing, (ii) storing data temporarily, and (iii) storing data permanently, in that order?

Computing is done by the CPU, temporary storage by RAM and permanent storage by the hard disk drive, giving the order 3, 1, 2.

The CPU is the processor that carries out calculations and executes instructions.

RAM holds data and programs temporarily while the computer is running.

The hard disk drive stores data permanently, keeping it even when power is off.

RAM is volatile, so its contents are lost once the machine is switched off.

Solid state drives increasingly replace hard disk drives for faster permanent storage.