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GCSE CS (2210) / IGCSE CS (0478) P1 NOTES Chapter 1.3: Hardware and Software 1.3.5 Memory, Storage and Media

Primary storage includes RAM and ROM. RAM is volatile memory directly accessed by the CPU, while ROM is non-volatile and stores basic startup instructions. Secondary storage includes hard disk drives and solid state drives, which are non-volatile storage not directly accessed by the CPU. Examples of offline storage include CDs, DVDs, external hard drives, and flash drives, which can be removed from the computer. Storage devices use either magnetic, optical, or solid state technology to write and read data through different mechanisms.

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233 views6 pages

GCSE CS (2210) / IGCSE CS (0478) P1 NOTES Chapter 1.3: Hardware and Software 1.3.5 Memory, Storage and Media

Primary storage includes RAM and ROM. RAM is volatile memory directly accessed by the CPU, while ROM is non-volatile and stores basic startup instructions. Secondary storage includes hard disk drives and solid state drives, which are non-volatile storage not directly accessed by the CPU. Examples of offline storage include CDs, DVDs, external hard drives, and flash drives, which can be removed from the computer. Storage devices use either magnetic, optical, or solid state technology to write and read data through different mechanisms.

Uploaded by

collen
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GCSE CS (2210) / IGCSE CS (0478) P1 NOTES BY AWAB AQIB

CHAPTER 1.3: HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE


1.3.5 Memory, Storage and Media

TYPES OF STORAGE

1. PRIMARY STORAGE

-Main memory inside a computer


-Directly accessed by CPU, faster access than secondary storage
-both volatile and non-volatile

e.g.
1- Random Access Memory (RAM)
-is a hardware device
-allows information to be stored and retrieved on a computer
-RAM is a volatile memory and requires power to keep the data accessible
-RAM normally has a larger capacity than ROM

2- Read Only Memory (ROM)


-is a hardware device
-Stores basic start up instructions for a computer e.g. basic input/output system (BIOS)
-Stores bootstrap loader
-ROM contains nonvolatile data, meaning it keeps it data even if the device loses power
-Data can be read from and written to RAM, ROM can only be read from

2. SECONDARY STORAGE

-non-volatile, persistent memory that is accessed by a device that is part of computer


-not directly accessed by the CPU
e.g.
1- Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
-HDD is an electromechanical data storage device that uses magnetic storage
-to store and retrieve digital information using one or more rotating magnetic disks

2- Solid State Drive (SDD)


Device that stores data by controlling the movement of electrons
within a microchip; there are no moving parts hence more durable
-Has faster random access
-Has a quick start up/shut down time (reduced latency)
-Is very small
-Is very light
-Consumes very little power

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GCSE CS (2210) / IGCSE CS (0478) P1 NOTES BY AWAB AQIB
CHAPTER 1.3: HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
1.3.5 Memory, Storage and Media

Why is Solid State Drive (SSD) replacing Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

-lower/less power consumption/more energy efficient


-runs quieter
-data access is faster
-occupies less physical space/more compact
-lighter, so more suitable for a portable computer/laptop
-no moving parts so more reliable/durable in a portable computer/laptop

Why many web servers still use Hard Disk Drive (HDD) technology

-HDD is cheaper for larger amounts of storage space


-HDD has greater longevity for read/write functions
-HDD are trusted technology
-No requirement for the increased speed of SSD

3. OFFLINE STORAGE

-non-volatile memory that can be removed from a computer system


-must be physically connected to computer to obtain stored data
-used to store files as a backup
e.g.
1-Compact Disk (CD)
-Small plastic disc on which music or other digital information is stored
-in the form of a pattern of metal-coated pits from which it can be read
-using laser light reflected off the disc

2-Digital Versatile Disk (DVD)


-Optical storage media that uses a single spiral track
-uses dual layer technology, allowing high data storage capacity

3-Digital Versatile Disk RAM (DVD-RAM)


-Optical storage media that uses concentric tracks
-allowing writing and reading to take place at the same time.
4-External SSD
-similar to internal SSD except it can be easily removed after data has been copied
-connected to computer via USB port while internal SSD is connected via SATA controller

5-Blu-Ray
-Optical storage media
-has high storage capacity by using blue laser technology
(continued)

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GCSE CS (2210) / IGCSE CS (0478) P1 NOTES BY AWAB AQIB
CHAPTER 1.3: HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
1.3.5 Memory, Storage and Media

6-Flash Memory
-Nonvolatile memory chip used for storage and for transferring data
-between a personal computer (PC) and digital devices
-It has the ability to be electronically reprogrammed and erased.
-It is often found in USB flash drives, MP3 players, and digital cameras

CLASSIFICATION OF STORAGE DEVICES

Optical Magnetic Solid State


CD-ROM Hard Disk Drive (HDD) Solid State Drive (SSD)
DVD-ROM Floppy Disk Memory stick
DVD-RAM Magnetic Tape Flash memory
Blu-Ray

How is data written and read in an Optical Media


-Red laser is used (blue in case of Blu-Ray), shines onto surface of the disk
-It is rotated at a constant speed to be read
-Surface is covered in a track that spirals from the center
-Data is represented on the surface using pits and lands
-Pits and lands represent binary values
-Pits reflect light back differently to the area in between/land
-Optical device can determine the binary value from the light reflection

How is data written and read in a Magnetic Media


-surface of magnetic disk/tapes are coated with millions of iron particles
-allowing data to be stored on them
-the surface is divided into concentric tracks, which save data on them
-each track is sub-divided into sectors
-the particles act as magnets when they are exposed to a magnetic field
-magnetic disk/tapes contain read-write heads
-they contain electromagnets that generate magnetic fields
-in the iron particles, as the head passes over them
-a magnetic field’s pull means a binary 1 and a 0 otherwise
-while reading, read-write heads have no magnetic field
-storage medium charges the magnet in head
-causes a current to flow through head based on the polarity
-this way data is sent from read-write heads into the memory

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GCSE CS (2210) / IGCSE CS (0478) P1 NOTES BY AWAB AQIB
CHAPTER 1.3: HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
1.3.5 Memory, Storage and Media

How is data written and read in a Solid State Media

-store data by controlling the movement of electrons


-within NAND chips
-use of NAND only allows to read or erase a block of data at a time
-The data is stored as 0s and 1s in millions of tiny transistors within the chip
-This effectively produces a non-volatile rewritable memory
-also use Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM)
-main difference is that it uses NOR chips than NAND making operations faster
-EPROM allows data to be read or erased in single byte at a time

SUMMARY OF STORAGES

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GCSE CS (2210) / IGCSE CS (0478) P1 NOTES BY AWAB AQIB
CHAPTER 1.3: HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
1.3.5 Memory, Storage and Media

CALCULATING STORAGE REQUIREMENTS OF A FILE

Storage Unit Size in decimal Number of Bits


Bit -
Byte 8 bits
Nibble 4 Bytes
Kilobyte 1024 bytes 210
Megabyte 1024 Kilobytes 220
Gigabyte 1024 Megabyte 230
Terabyte 1024 Gigabyte 240
Petabyte 1024 Terabyte 250

-We store images in an 8-bit color graphics in computer’s memory


-such that each pixel is represented by one 8-bit byte
-The maximum number of colors that can be displayed at any one time is 256

To calculate the size of a file whose resolution is n x m (pixels) with w color-depth


-multiply n and m
-multiply product with w color-depth and divide by 8
-convert the answer to kB/MB/GB/TB

(𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑚) 𝑥 𝑤
8
-to convert the answer from bytes to Kilobytes, divide it by 1024
-to convert the answer from bytes to Megabytes, divide it by 10242
-to convert the answer from bytes to Gigabytes, divide it by 10243

To calculate the size of a sound file that is b seconds long and is sampled at c times
per second. Each sample is saved using Y-bits
-multiply b and c
-if each sample is saved in 8 bits then convert it straight to kB/MB/GB/TB
-if each sample is not saved in 8 bits rather saved at Y color-depth then:
(𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐) 𝑥 𝑌
8
-to convert the answer from bytes to Kilobytes, divide it by 1024
-to convert the answer from bytes to Megabytes, divide it by 10242
-to convert the answer from bytes to Gigabytes, divide it by 10243
(continued)

[email protected] https://www.youtube.com/c/awabaqib/
GCSE CS (2210) / IGCSE CS (0478) P1 NOTES BY AWAB AQIB
CHAPTER 1.3: HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
1.3.5 Memory, Storage and Media

Example 1

-An image is 256 px high and 200 px wide with a 16-bit color depth. Calculate its size in kB.

Total resolution: 256 x 200 = 51,200

51,200 𝑥 16
Size in bytes: = 102,400 bytes
8

102,400
Size in KiloBytes: = 100KB
1024

Example 2
-A 32 second-long sound clip will be recorded. The sound will be sampled at 16000 times a
second. Each sample will be saved using 8-bits. Calculate the size in Kilobytes.
Size in bytes: 32 x 16000 = 512,000 bytes

512,000
Size in KiloBytes: = 500KB
1024

Example 3
-The current status of the engine is sent to a computer in the Airplane. Each piece of data
collected is 8 bytes in size. Data collection occurs every 30 seconds. Calculate the number
of kilobytes that would be needed to store the data collected during a 10-hour flight.

bytes : duration
8 bytes 30 sec
x bytes 10*60*60 sec

288000
Bytes needed for 10-hour: x =
30

x= 9600 bytes

9600
x= KiloBytes
1024
Size in KiloBytes: x= 9.4 KB

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