What is the main disadvantage of PROM?

A Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM) chip is designed to allow data to be written once by the user, meaning it is programmed only a single time. The main disadvantage of PROM is that once data is written to it, it cannot be changed, erased, or reprogrammed. This means that if a mistake occurs during the programming process or if the information needs to be updated, there is no way to remedy the error or modify the stored data. This characteristic makes PROM less flexible compared to other types of memory like EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) or flash memory, which can be rewritten multiple times.

Other options present various irrelevant drawbacks or misconceptions about PROM. While speed and cost can be factors in different contexts of memory technology, they do not represent the fundamental limitation of PROM as a one-time programmable memory. Similarly, the requirement for frequent updates is not typically associated with the operation of PROM since it is not intended to be updated after the initial programming. Thus, the inability to correct or erase errors represents the most significant limitation of PROM technology.