What is the purpose of the cache memory?

Cache memory is a small, high-speed memory unit located close to or inside the CPU. Its main function is to temporarily store data and instructions that the processor uses frequently, allowing faster access compared to retrieving the same data from the main memory (RAM).

When the CPU needs to process information, it first checks if that data is available in the cache. If the data is found there (called a cache hit), it can be accessed quickly, which saves time and improves overall system performance. If the data is not found (called a cache miss), the CPU must fetch it from the slower main memory, which takes longer.