There are two definitions that can be pertinent in the domain of music and video.
- A type of non-volatile memory used in some computing or electronic devices. Non volatile memory holds its contents even when power is removed. Flash memory is programmed and will generally retain its programming until reprogrammed again. The technology is similar to that used in EPROMS (or more specifically EEPROMS – Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), but Flash memory has the advantage of being able to be programmed directly from the device it is used in, which makes it very user friendly. In fact, its operation is often completely transparent to the user. The most common type of Flash memory is also known as FEPROM, or Flash Erasable, Programmable, Read Only Memory.
- A bandwidth friendly and browser independent vector-graphic animation technology. As long as different browsers are equipped with the necessary plug-ins, Flash animations will look the same. With Flash, users can draw their own animations or import other vector-based images. Flash animations (with the .swf file extension) can be created using applications such as Flash from Macromedia Inc. or LiveMotion from Adobe (and others). Flash was known as FutureSplash until 1997, when Macromedia Inc. bought the company that developed it.
