Final answer:
The term 'cache' refers to a type of memory that is smaller and faster than main memory, which works to reduce the time a microprocessor takes to access data by storing frequently used data.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term cache is usually used to apply to a memory that is smaller and faster than main memory, and that is interposed between main memory and the processor. Cache memory is an essential feature of modern computers and microprocessors that helps to reduce the time to access data from the main memory.
The processor can access data from the cache much quicker than from the main memory, which improves the overall performance of the system. The cache stores copies of data from frequently used main memory locations.
As a result, when the processor needs to read or write data, it first checks whether the data is in the cache, which speeds up the process significantly compared to accessing the slower main memory.
Cache memory is essential for improving computer performance. When a computer's processor accesses data from the cache, the microprocessor can perform functions more efficiently, allowing for a better computing experience.
There are different levels of cache memory (L1, L2, and sometimes L3), with L1 being the fastest and smallest, located on the processor chip itself. L2 and L3 caches, which might be larger, are usually found on separate chips but are still faster than accessing the main memory.