Can programs stored in ROM be modified?

Programs stored in ROM (Read-Only Memory) are designed to be permanent storage solutions. This characteristic is fundamental to how ROM functions. Once data is written to ROM during the manufacturing process, it typically cannot be altered or erased under normal operating conditions. This lack of mutability is what differentiates it from other types of memory, like RAM (Random Access Memory), which allows data to be easily modified.

ROM is often utilized for firmware, which is essential for booting and controlling hardware devices because it provides the necessary instructions without risk of alteration, ensuring the stability and reliability of the system. While there are special types of ROM, such as EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) and Flash memory, which allow for data to be rewritten, standard ROM does not support modification after its initial installation.

This permanence is crucial in many electronic systems to prevent accidental changes that could impact functionality or security, which is why the statement that programs in ROM cannot be changed is correct.