What part of the analytical engine is similar to modern day computer's memory?

The Store is the component of the analytical engine that functions similarly to modern-day computer memory. In the context of the analytical engine designed by Charles Babbage, the Store was responsible for holding data and instructions temporarily, allowing the machine to retrieve and use that information during calculations. This closely parallels the role of RAM (Random Access Memory) or other forms of memory in contemporary computers, which store data that is actively being used or processed.

In contrast, the other components of the analytical engine serve different functions: the Mill is analogous to the CPU (Central Processing Unit), handling calculations and processing instructions; the Input Unit is responsible for feeding data into the system; and the Output Unit handles the presentation of results from computations. Each of these parts plays a distinct role in the overall function of a computer system, but it is the Store that captures the essence of memory in modern computing by maintaining data and instructions for immediate access during operations.