In this section we will look at different types of memory, the advantages and disadvantages of several storage devices and how media is digitally saved.
The storage devices inside, and outside of a computer fall in to the following categories
PRIMARY STORAGE | This is the storage that is inside your computer and has direct access to the CPU. It includes RAM and ROM. Primary storage is needed to boot up your computer. |
SECONDARY STORAGE | Secondary storage is still inside your computer but doesn't have direct access the CPU. This includes HDDs and any internal SSDs you have. They may contain your operating system and important files but technically you could boot up the computer without them. They do not have direct access to the CPU. For example, anything that is saved on your HDD first has to go through your RAM. |
OFFLINE STORAGE | This is any storage medium which is inserted in to a storage device to be able to save data. For example, a CD/DVD/BLU-RAY, external hard drive, backup tape etc. |
ROM CHIP
ROM stands for Read Only Memory. The ROM chip is inside your computer when you buy it and contains all of the data needed to start your computer. For example, the ROM chip contains the BIOS (Basic In-Out System) which controls the basic devices on your computer needed to boot up. You cannot start your computer without it and you cannot delete the contents of it, hence it being 'read only'
RAM
RAM (random access memory) is integral for a computer to perform the most basic functions. RAM is used to temporarily hold data that the computer needs but that isn't yet permanently saved on the hard drive. A CPU performs thousands of calculations per second, but it cannot store all of the answers to these calculations once it has completed them. RAM is used to store the results of the calculations and hold data before it is actually passed to the CPU. For example, let's say that you open the calculator on your computer and type 5+5. The numbers and the operator you chose are stored on the RAM. They are then passed on to the CPU to be calculated. The CPU then passes the calculation back to the RAM and it is displayed on your screen.
HARD DISK DRIVES
SOLID STATE DRIVES
FLASH DRIVES
EXTERNAL FLASH HARD DRIVES
CDS, DVDS and BLU-RAY
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