Technology Guide 1 : Computer Memory

Storage Devices

What Is Computer Storage?

Information and documents are stored in computer storage so that it can be retrieved whenever they are needed later on. Computer storage is the storing of data in an electromagnetic form to be accessed by a computer processor.

Types of Computer Storage

1. Primary storage

2. Secondary storage

Primary Storage

Primary storage is the main memory in a computer. It stores data and programs that can be

accessed directly by the processor.

Types Of Primary Storage

There are two types of primary storage which are RAM and ROM.

         

ROM                                                       RAM

Secondary Storage

Secondary storage is another alternative storage to save your work and documents. It is very useful to store programs and data for future use. It is non-volatile, which means that it does not need power to maintain the information stored in it. It will store the information until it is erased.

        

        CD-R                                      FLASH MEMORY

                       

 DISKETTE                                        PEN DRIVE

Types Of Secondary Storage

1. Magnetic Medium

Magnetic Medium is a non-volatile storage medium. It can be any type of storage medium that utilizes magnetic patterns to represent information. The devices use disks that are coated

with magnetically sensitive material. Examples of magnetic storage are: 


magnetic disk such as:

o a floppy disk, used for off-line storage

o hard disk, used for secondary storage

 

magnetic tape such as

o video cassette,

o audio storage reel-to-reel tape

Optical Medium

Optical Medium is a non-volatile storage media , holds content in digital form that are written and read by laser. These media include various types of CDs and DVDs. 

 CD-RW                                          CD-R

 DVD-R                                              DVD-RW

Blu-ray Disc

Optical disc storage medium designed by Sony to supersede the standard DVD format. Its main uses are for running Playstation 3 games, high-definition video and data storage with 50GB per disc. The disc has the same physical dimensions as standard DVDs and CDs.

Flash Memory

Flash Memory is a solid-state, non-volatile, rewritable memory that functions like RAM and a hard disk drive. Flash memory store bits of electronic data in memory cells just like DRAM (Dynamic RAM) but it also works like a hard disk drive that when the power is turned off, the data remains in the memory. Flash memory cards and flash memory sticks are examples of flash memory. Flash memory cards are also used with digital cellular phones, MP3 players, digital video cameras and other portable digital devices. Flash memory is also called USB drive, thumb drive, pen drive or flash drive, are the up and coming players in the portable storage market.

The Differences Between Primary And Secondary Storage

PRIMARY STORAGE

1. Known as the main memory of a computer.

    Examples are: RAM / ROM.

2. Storage capacity is limited. An internal memory (inside the CPU) that can be accessed      
    directly by the processor.

3. Has a volatile memory for RAM and non volatile memory for ROM.

SECONDARY STORAGE

1. Alternative storage in a computer.

    Examples are: Floppy disc, Hard disk, CDROM, USB storages

2. Storage capacity is larger.

3. An external storage that refers to various ways a computer can store program and data.

4. Non-volatile, which means that it does not need power to maintain the information stored in it.

PREPARED BY : NOR JAWAHIR BINTI SAHAK

                                    2010959957

PREPARED FOR : MISS ERNIE