Can computers can only retain data temporarily?

Data held on the hard drive, is considered to be permanent. It will still be there, after the power has been removed for many years.

Random Access Memory (RAM) is the working memory, held on microchips and needs power to keep the data. It will be immediately lost when the computer is switched off. This usually of little consequence as important data is always held on the hard drive.

The RAM is only used for temporary data whilst working.