Storage devices

Storage device is any hardware capable of holding information either temporarily or

permanently. There are two types of storage devices used with computers: a primary storage device
and a secondary storage device.

1.Primary storage/Main internal memory

A primary storage device is quite smaller in size and it's designed to capture or hold data for a
temporary period. Most primary storage devices are found inside the computer, and they have the
fastest access to data. Examples of Primary devices include Cache memory and RAM.

Main internal memory is of two types:

ROM (read only memory) and RAM (random access memory).

ROM (read only memory) is:

 Permanent- so cannot be changed by the user.
 Non-volatile -meaning that the contents are not lost when power is switched off.
 Used for boot routines - these are the sets of programs used to boot the computer
up when you turn power on.

RAM (random access memory) is:

 Temporary -the contents are continually changing.
 Volatile - the contents are lost when the power is lost.
 Used to hold the operating system. Used to hold the software in use.
 Used to hold the files currently being worked on

2. Secondary storage/memory

Secondary storage devices: These usually have large storage capacity.

• Non-volatile, which means it holds its contents when the power is removed.
• Used to hold software/files not being used

Examples include usb flash drives, , cds, dvds

Storage media
Data needs a material on which to be stored, which is called the storage media. There are
three types of storage media

 Optical
 Solid state (e.g. memnory card)
 Magnetic
1. Optical Drive
 Optical disks are flat circular disks on which data is stored as a series of bumps.
 Optical disks include CDs and DVDs and are used to store digital data as a binary pattern on
the disk
 Both CD and DVD can be used to store computer data and can be used for backup purposes.

2. Solid State Storage Devices

 These devices have no moving parts and so are called 'solid state.
 they use a special kind of programmable ROM memory chip on which data is stored.
 Very different to usual memory, this kind of chip remembers the data even when the power
has been turned e,g memory cards, USB Flash Drives

USB Flash Drives

Advantages
 Portable
 A flash memory stick requires no power to operate and has no moving parts,
so there is less danger of losing information.

Disadvantages
 can take viruses from one computer to another
 if they are lost or stolen, sensitive files can be easily accessed

3. Magnetic tapes

Magnetic tape stores data on a plastic coated with a magnetic layer. Magnetic tape is used
to back up data stored on hard disks. They have a huge storage capacity

Magnetic tape is used in a variety of batch processing applications where the computer can
just be left to process the data without any human intervention during processing eg.
payroll processing, general stock control

Examples of magnetic storage include hard drives and floppy diskette

Advantages
 A single magnetic tape cartridge can store large amounts of data up to 1 Terabyte.
 Large cartridges are used by big companies and institutions that require continuous
recording and backup of data.
  Data collection can go on without interruption overnight or for an entire weekend.
 Magnetic tape can be recorded over and reused repeatedly.
 Large amounts of information is stored.
 Magnetic tape is inexpensive and budget friendly.

Disadvantages
 Special equipment mụst be purchased and set up for recording and storing
data.
 The data can only be read on the special equipment
 Magnetic tape has a lifespan of 15 years. Data quality gradually erodes over
 Time

The Computer Processing Device

A computer processing device is the part of the computer that receives input, processes the input
and gives output. In most computers, the central processing is the computer processing device
Computers take in data, process that data with code and give results.

Central Processing Unit

The computer processing device, or CPU, is where information is processed. The CPU is
similar to the brain in a person. It receives information that is input by users or from
external sensors, it decides what to do with that information based on the code
programmed into it, and then it gives output to the user. The CPU connects to the
motherboard, which gives it access to all the other components of a modern computing
system. It is the unit of the computer system that includes the circuits that control the
interpretation and execution of instructions. It is the most important component of a
computer system.
Functions of the CPU

 To control the use of the memory to store data and instructions

 To control the sequence of operations
 To give instructions to all parts of the computer to carry out processing.

The CPU can be subdivided into two major subunits; the control unit (CU) and the arithmetic
logic unit (ALU). The primary (main) memory is an extension of the CPU and assists the CPU
in its operations.

The Control Unit (CU )

It is the nerve centre of the computer which controls and co-ordinates all hardware
operations ie. those of peripheral units, main memory and the processor itself. It also
controls the sequence of the operations.

 The unit fetches (obtains) the instruction from the main memory
 It then interprets it
 It then executes the instruction by sending a command signal to the appropriate
 hardware
 device in the computer system, ordering it to perform required operations.
 The control unit is driven by a 'clock pulse'; the rate of the clock is called the
speed.

The Arithmetic-Logic Unit (ALU)

This has two major functions:

 Carries out arithmetic tasks e.g. division, addition etc

 Performs logical operations e.g. comparing data item

How the ALU operates:

Data items to be processed are fetched from the main memory as directed by the CU into registers
or accumulators where they are stored. The ALU then performs the operations as directed by the
CU. The ALU leaves the result in a data register from where they are placed into the main memory
again under the direction of the CU.
Software

Software is a set of instructions or programs instructing a computer to do specific tasks. Software

can be divided into two main types: System software (operating systems) and applications software.

Operating System Software

An operating system or OS is a software program that enables the computer hardware
to communicate and operate with the computer software. Without a computer
operating system, a computer and software programs would be useless. Examples are;
Windows
Linux
Mac OS

Operating systems are programs that control the hardware directly by giving the step-by-
step instructions that tell the computer hardware what to do. An operating system performs
the following tasks:

 It handles inputs and outputs hence it selects and also controls the operation of
hardware devices such as keyboards, mice, printers, scanner, etc
 The operating system handles, interrupts (an interrupt is a signal to the processor
emitted by hardware or software indicating an event that needs immediate
attention) and decides what action to take-when something happens such as the
 printer cannot print because the paper is jammed or it has run out of paper, it will
stop the printer and alert the user.
 It keeps track of all the files and directories/folders on the disk thus it handles the
storage of data
 The operating system recognizes hardware devices such as pendrive, camera,
portable hard drive, etc, that would have been attached to the computer. The
operating system loads the software it needs, so as to control the device
automatically
 It decides where in the memory the program instructions are placed. For example,
some instructions are needed over and over again, whereas others are only needed
now and again. It ensures that the parts of the program needed frequently are put in
the fastest part of the memory.
 The operating system supervises the running of other programs - it provides a way
for applications software to work with hardware

Applications of computer Science

Introduction
Computers have many uses in everyday life and in different fields of work which include.

 Just the changing of lights at the traffic lights when you cross the road; red, green
then amber is a computer system at work.
 Engineers, architects and filmmakers use computers to design things.
 Teachers, writers and office workers use computers for research, word processing
and emailing.
 Small businesses use computers to make the sale and general record keeping.
 Young people also use computers to play games

In this section we will look at all the application of computers in Agriculture, Banking
systems, Education, Social networks, Research and Development.

1. Agriculture

It is the growing of crops and keeping of animals

 Computers are used for keeping records such as budget information ,farm
equipment inventories and animal health forms
  Farm implements such as tractors, fertilizers sprayers have computers that farmers
can program to automatically adjust the amount of fertilizers according to the
requirements of soil and crops which helps in improving soil and higher crop yield.

Changes brought by the use of technology in agriculture

 Irrigation of plants. In dry areas like deserts, farmers have embraced technology to
irrigate their crops.

Breeding of animals which are resistant to diseases. Most of these genetically

 produced animals will produce more milk or fur compared to normal animals.

Computer controlled greenhouses

 In order to grow plants successfully they need perfect growing conditions. Computer
control can be used to monitor the conditions and keep these conditions constant.

The sensors used to collect the input data include:

 Light
 Moisture
 Temperature

The output devices controlled by the computer include:

 Lamps (to make the plants grow faster) light is the trigger that causes opening
of the tiny pores on the leaf surface known as stomatas. Opening of stomates, in
response to light, allows gas exchange between the plant and the external
environment.
 Heater- A good heating system is one of the most important steps to successful
 Motor to turn the sprinkler on/off to water the plants plant production. Any heating
system that provides uniform temperature control without releasing material harmful to
the plants is acceptable.
 The microprocessor compares the sensor reading to a preset value Motor to open or
close the windows (to cool the greenhouse down if it gets too hot)

The microprocessor compares the sensor reading to a preset value.

The microprocessor sends signals to the actuator
 If temperature reading <preset value, the processor switches on the heater and
closes the windows
 If light reading < preset value, the microprocessor switches the lights on
 If light reading> preset value the microprocessor switches the lights on. If humidity
reading< preset value the microprocessor switches the sprinkler
 If humidity reading > preset value the microprocessor switches the sprinkler
Off

2. Computer Science in Education