COMPUTER STORAGE

COMPUTER STORAGE
IMPORTANT TERMS

(a) DVD DRIVE- used to read CD and DVD only. Some can also write
Both the CD and DVD i.e. DVD writer.

(b) CD DRIVE- used to read CD only. Some can also write the CD

(c) FLOPPY DRIVE- used to store and retrieve data from Floppy disks only.

(d) TAPE DRIVE- used to store and retrieve data from specific type
Of magnetic tape. Drive varies with type of tape used.

(e) VIRTUAL MEMORY

Temporal storage space on the disk, memory required by the
Computer to store programs bigger than RAM can contain.

(f) BUFFER
Temporal memory in the computer used in data spooling during
Input and output of information.

(g) PORT
A connection point onto a computer for a peripheral device.

(h) Storage- is a description of the process of keeping computer software,

data or information.

(i) Storage media are parts of a computer that keep computer programs or
data either temporary or permanently. A collective name for disks, tapes
and memory cards etc.

(j) storage devices

-the piece of device that is used to record or retrieve data from a storage
media.

THE 2 types of computer storage are:

-primary storage, and
-secondary storage

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 PRIMARY STORAGE
Is also called immediate access memory or, Main memory or Core storage or
Working memory or Primary memory or internal memory. It is found inside
the computer on a motherboard fixed on a memory chip slotted onto the
motherboard. Primary memory (main memory) is the group of chips inside
the computer that holds data temporary whilst processing takes place. This
data is readily available for computer use.

Primary memory is used in computers of all types, modern printers and

some cameras. -It is used to hold programs (operating system or control
programs or application programs) that are waiting to be processed.
-It is used to hold application programs that are currently being processed.
- It is used to hold data that is waiting processing
-used to hold input data during processing
-used to hold information immediately after it has been processed ready to
be output.

-there are two types of primary storage namely RAM and ROM (Random
access memory and Read only memory)
-at the time of writing of this book some computers have a RAM capacity of
16 Gigabytes.

RAM (Random access memory.)

-data held in RAM is temporal. The contents of RAM disappear if computer
is switched off hence it is said to be volatile and is used to store user data
operating software and application programs.
-RAM is used to hold data during processing
-holds operating system control programs during processing
-holds application programs during processing.

Types of RAM are

DYNAMIC RAM (DRAM) STATIC RAM (SRAM)
-memory contents slowly leaks from -The contents of this memory do
the storage cells and must be not change as long as the computer
topped up (refreshed) constantly. has a constant power supply.

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 ADVANDAGE O F RAM DISADVANTAGES OF RAM
-data is written and read at a very -it is volatile i.e. it loses contents
high speed. when power is cut.
-computer has fast access to data -storage is limited.
in main memory. -older computers have too little
-it can be updated (added) storage capacity for RAM
-RAM chips are locally available.

ROM (Read only memory)

Read only memory). -holds data and programs that cannot be changed by
the user. Information on a ROM chip is called firmware. They are hard-
wired onto the motherboard. When a computer is switched on, the first
programs to run on the computer comes from ROM.
-ROM is permanent, non volatile and is used for booting routines.

Types are PROM, EPROM, and EAPROM.

All forms of ROM are used to hold programs used to boot a computer IE (to
load the O/S when a computer is switched on. -Stores BOIS (basic input
output system (information needed by the computer at start up. -stores
control programs needed by the computer. -stores translator programs. -
The ROM technology is used in the manufacture of CDs and DVDs. -ROM is
a type of WORM (write once Read many times) technology
PROM -Programmable read only memory. This memory allows
the user to program it, but once programmed it becomes
permanent ROM.
-differs from normal ROM in that ROM comes
programmed by the manufacturer while PROM can be
done by the user.
EPROM -Erasable programmable ROM. It is like PROM but its
(Electrically advantage is that it can be programmed over and over
Programmable again using a special erasing and programming device.
Read Only -the memory is first removed from the computer if there
Memory) is need to erase and reprogram it.
EEPROM or Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory
(EAPROM) Electrically Alterable Programmable Read Only
Memory.
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 -just like EPROM, the difference is that the memory is
not manually removed from the computer. The
processing is however done electrically and it is slower to
reprogramming EPROM electrically

ADVANDAGEs OF ROM DISADVANTAGES OF ROM

-memory is permanent (even when -not easy to change (Non volatile)
the computer is accidentally -electronic errors can happen
switched off, ROM is not affected) during erasure and this affects the
-it is non-volatile process

SECONDARY STORAGE
Is also known as backing storage, auxiliary storage, external storage, or
permanent memory. SECONDARY STORAGE -includes disks, tapes,
memory sticks, memory cards, pen drives etc that are connected to the
computer motherboard through ports or cables.

HARD DISK
-circular storage media made of a metal coated with a magnetized material
-there are two types i.e.
 fixed hard disks and
 External hard disks.

-data is stored randomly onto the surface.

-data is stored in-situ randomly onto the surface, i.e. that means in can be
overwritten.
-There are several types and sizes of hard disks
-The common once are the Desktop and laptop hard disks, but we also
have Mass storage HD Media disk used for a variety of applications
especially in broadcasting business.

(a) FIXED HARD DISK

(fixed permanently in the computer) may contain multiple disks called a
disk platter or disk pack. This platter is actually a disk pack that can be
changed. It gives the inseparable disks a cylindrical shape and has read
write heads in between disks and one drive spindle for all the disks in the
middle of the disks.
-the disk surface is made up of tracks, sections and inter-block gap
separating the sectors.

Track. A circular data storage space on a disk.

Sector: a section of the disk made up of a number of tracks

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 Inter block gap- blank spaces that separate sectors on a disk
Cylinder- the same track number across all disks on a disk platter/pack.

-Fixed hard disk are used to store operating systems and application
programs
-external disks can be used for backup
- External hard disks can be used to boot up computers that fail
-external hard disks are used to store data and programs that need to be
transferred from one computer to another.
-all the two types can be used to store user information.
-fixed hard disks are used in real time systems (e.g. robots, control systems
and airline booking etc.
-fixed disks are also used as file servers for computers on a network or on
internet.

(b) EXTERNAL HARD DISK

-A hard disk externally connected to a computer through a port (usually
USB port). They vary in sizes, capacities and manufactures. -they are
portable hard disk that work the same way as fixed hard disk.

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 They are connected to a computer via a USB port. -data is stored randomly
onto the surface.
-mostly used for backing up data and software.
-they are used to transfer files from one computer to another
-can be used to store personal information.

(c.) OPTICAL DRIVES

All types of CD and DVD are called optical devices. They use laser
technology to read or write data from/to the disk.
WORM devices: A section of types of CD and DVD that are Written Once
Read Many times.

(i) CD (COMPACT DISK)

-a flat portable circular optical storage media
-it is a type of WORM device (write once read many) times
-also called CD ROM

CDs Store data as a series of (optical pattern called) bumps using laser
beam technology. They are read only memory devices.
-can store up to 700MB
-differs with DVD in that their surfaces are lighter in appearance and have a
smaller capacity
-Again a CD drive cannot read a DVD while a DVD drive can read both the
CD and DVD.

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 -data is stored randomly onto the surface.

There are two types of CDs namely

CD-R and CD-WR

1. CD-R (Compact disk recordable)

-CD-R allows data to be stored on it only once.
-Cannot be recycled.

2. CD-WR (Compaq disk rewritable)

-it allows data to be store over and over again. Each time data is written
again, the old is first deleted and before a fresh writing is done. (No
overwriting such as is done on hard disks.
-Used to record television programs

USES OF CDs
-used to hold music and software for distribution., used to hold animation
files, used to store computer data and programs, used to boot up a
computer., used for back up, Most common on PCs, most software is sold
on CD rather than DVD, used for archive data

(ii) DVDs (Digital Versatile disk)

-a flat circular optical storage media used to store audio and video data.
-WORM device (write once read many) times
-also called DVD ROM
-DVDs differ with CDs in that their surfaces are dark in appearance and
have a bigger capacity
-some store up-to 4.7 GB of data and others 8.5GB other up-to 100GB
-data is stored randomly onto the surface.

Types of DVDs are

 DVD-R
 DVD-WR
 DVD RAM

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  Blu-ray disk

1. DVD-R (digital versatile disk recordable)

DVD allows data to be stored on it only once. Cannot be recycled.

2. DVD WR (Digital versatile disk rewritable)

-it allows data to be stored over and over again. Each time data is written
again, the old data is first deleted before a fresh writing is done (cannot be
overwritten such as is done with hard disks.

3. DVD RAM (Digital Versatile Disk Random Access memory)

-has same properties with DVD WR in that data can be recorded many
times.
-it allows several and repeated erasure and recording of data just as it is on
computer internal RAM. They can be used as many times as possible.
-have long life of about 30 yrs,
-they have fast access to data,
-files are fairly small,
-have large capacity about 9.4 Gigabytes
-can allow simultaneous reading and writing to data.
- However their drives are less compatible
-three to four times more expensive than DVD WR.

4. Blu-ray (BD-R)
-a blue laser is used to read or write blu-ray disks as opposed to the red
laser used in most conventional CDs and DVDs. The blu-ray use a shorter
wavelength in reading and writing information and this makes them faster
to use.
-a new technology with a high capacity than other DVD types (from 25GB,
50GB, 100GB)
-used to store high definition videos and films
-it is possible to playback a blu-ray video disk and record it simultaneously
onto another media.
-data access is faster than on other DVD types.
-However they are expensive -They allow data encryption at disk-write time
and this is helpful as it avoids piracy.

USES OF DVDs
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 -Used to store videos and films for sale or distribution.
-Used for back up
-Most common used on PCs and DVD players
-used to archive data
-used for storing TV programs that do not need any update
-Blu-ray disks are used to store high definition (HD) videos
-Blu-ray disks are used for long play films- 2 hours of HDTV and 13 hours
on standard definition TV.
-blue ray are also used in home video consoles.
-blue ray are used as back up for hard disks.
-DVD RAMS - Used in satellite receivers and Camcorders.

(d) MAGNETIC TAPE

-A thin continuous film strip of plastic coated with a magnetic layer of iron
particles.
-Magnetic tape differ in types however the computer tape drive is just like
the CD drive, that is mounted onto the computer for tape use.
-the cassette tape is used in radios while the video tape is used for Video
tape players.
-data is stored serially or sequentially.
-data transfer rate (writing) is faster than data retrieval rate.

Uses Of Magnetic Tapes

-Used to store data, music, films and programs.
-used on radios, video cassette players
-Used on computers to store data and programs
-as as computer back up by network servers.
-used in high hit rate applications (batch processing applications) such as
electricity, water, gas billing, payroll systems.

(e) SOLID STATE STORAGE DEVICES

(i) MEMORY CARDS

-These are small cards that are used to store data
-they are an example of solid state devices.
-data is stored on a chip inside them

-they are also called flash memory of HD cards

-they store data randomly on their storage spaces.
Types of memory cards are tabulated below:

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 Compact Flash (CF) Secure Digital (SD) mini cards

Smart Media cards Multimedia cards.

Secure Digital (SD) micro cards xD cards

-they are an example of EEPROM memory type.

-old PC and laptops can only read them with a separate card reader
through USB port.

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 USES OF MEMORY CARDS
-they are used to store data that needs to be transferred to a computer at
a later stage.
-used in digital cameras, mobile phones, palmtops, laptops and MP3 and
MP4 platters.
-can be used in digital photo processing system.
-used to stored photos on digital cameras.
-used as back up for data.

(ii) MEMORY STICKS/FLASH DISKS OR FLASH MEMORY

-memory devices that use USB connection to a computer.
-they are an example of solid state devices.
-data is stored on a chip inside them
-they are sometimes referred to as dongles, (a term used to describe all
types of memory plugged in using USB port)

They have several names i.e.

1. Pen drives
2. Memory sticks

They consist of PCB (printed circuit boards) enclosed in a plastic case.

-can store 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB etc
-they store data directly/randomly on their storage spaces.

USES OF MEMORY STICKS

-used to store photographs
-used to store music
-used to store computer data
-can also be used to store or transfer computer programs from one
computer to another.
-mostly used by teachers and school pupils
-used by mobile business officers such as marketing personnel.

(a) FLOPPY DISK

A single thin disk made of a flexible plastic. -also called diskette. -stores
data on both sides. Each side has its own read write head. -they store
data in-situ randomly on their storage spaces.
There are no-longer in use today.
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 They were used
- To boot up a computer.
- On desktop PC to hold data files
- To hold driver software for hardware installations
- To transfer data from one computer to another.
-used as back up.

ADVANTAGES OF SECONDARY STORAGE

-they are permanent storage device.
-external hard disks are portable.
-all hard disks are fast when transferring and accessing data.
-all hard disk are even faster than DVD, CD, tapes, floppies and flash
memory
-they have a very large storage capacity.
-most have long life span except for floppy disks and CDs
-it is easier to store and update data on disks.
-large storage capacity for most disks and tapes and flash memory

DISADVANTAGES OF SECONDARY STORAGE

-fixed hard disks are not portable.
-all hard disks do not effectively utilize memory space
-are prone to crushing if computers are frequently not properly shut down.
-they are heavily affected by viruses
-external hard disks can be damaged if they are not properly handled e.g. if
they fall, exposed to heat and water.
-memory cards and sticks are easily lost or stolen
-On DVD WR the rate of data transfer is slower than with DVD-R
-Not robust
-Not durable if used often
-blu ray are not common and many computers dot even have the drives.
-data transfer and access rate is slower than that of hard disks.
-Rewritable disks are more expensive than recordable once.
-once burned (written) it becomes permanent

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