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GoodTodd1970 t1_iy3iiu7 wrote

Reply to comment by unlikemike123 in eli5 How is computer memory deleted? by unlikemike123

There are specific programs that allow file "shredding" or "secure deletion", which will overwrite the file location with junk data multiple times. The original file no longer exists and the space is free to use.

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unlikemike123 OP t1_iy3imhn wrote

Oooh that's how they work, cool!

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snozzberrypatch t1_iy3r50b wrote

There isn't really any such thing as "deleting" memory so that it becomes "empty". Individual memory locations can either be a 0 or a 1 at all times, there are no other options. You could write all zeros into the memory but that's still data. There is no way to "clear" a memory location such that it's neither a 0 nor a 1. That's why it's most efficient to delete a file by just freeing up those memory locations but not actually overwriting them, unless you're concerned about Russian spies getting your hard drive and restoring deleted data.

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unlikemike123 OP t1_iy3ympg wrote

I am very concerned about Putin seeing my endless lists of goals that are never achieved tbh, he's a harsh critic

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