Outline

▪ Secondary Memory
▪ HDD
▪ BIOS
▪ Firmware
▪ Software
▪ Classification of Software
▪ System Software
▪ Application Software
▪ Language Translators
 Secondary Memory

What is Secondary Memory?

✔ Secondary memory refers to storage devices that are used to store data
permanently (or semi-permanently).
✔ Unlike primary memory (RAM), secondary memory is non-volatile and retains
data even when the system is powered off.
 Importance of Secondary Memory
Large Storage Capacity:
✔ Secondary memory devices, such as Hard Disk Drives (HDDs), Solid State Drives (SSDs), and
optical discs, offer significantly larger storage capacities compared to primary memory (RAM).
Non-Volatile Storage:
✔ Unlike primary memory (RAM), which is volatile and loses its contents when the power is turned
off, secondary memory is non-volatile.
✔ This means that data is retained even when the system is powered down, making it ideal for
long-term data storage.
Cost-Effective:
✔ Secondary memory is generally much more affordable than primary memory on a per-gigabyte basis.
✔ This makes it a cost-effective solution for storing large amounts of data, especially for personal
computers, servers, and data centers.
 Importance of Secondary Memory cont..
Data Backup and Recovery :
✔ Secondary memory provides a reliable means for data backup and recovery.
Supporting Large Applications and Files :
✔ Secondary memory enables the storage of large applications, databases, and files that can't fit into
primary memory.
✔ When an application needs more memory than what's available in RAM, data can be swapped between
RAM and secondary storage to maintain performance.
Long-Term Storage for System Files :
✔ The operating system and software applications reside on secondary storage.
Portability :
✔ Devices like USB drives, external hard drives, and SD cards provide portable secondary memory,
making it easy to transfer data between computers and other devices.
 Difference between Primary Memory and Secondary Memory

Feature Primary Memory Secondary Memory

Definition Primary memory (also called main memory) is Secondary memory refers to storage devices that
the memory that a computer uses to store data are used to store data permanently or long-term,
that is actively being used or processed by the such as hard drives, SSDs, CDs, and DVDs.
CPU.
Type of Storage Volatile (temporary) storage. Non-volatile (permanent) storage.
Examples RAM (Random Access Memory) Hard Disk Drives (HDD), Solid State Drives
(SSD), Optical discs (CDs, DVDs), USB drives.
Speed Faster access speed. RAM can be accessed in Slower access speed compared to primary
nanoseconds. memory, often measured in milliseconds.
Capacity Relatively small in size (typically in GBs). Larger capacity, ranging from several GBs to TBs.
Example Usage Storing the operating system, programs Storing documents, pictures, videos, software,
currently running, and data being actively and backups.
processed.
 Types of Secondary Memory
a. Magnetic Storage
▪ Hard Disk Drives (HDD):
✔ Use magnetic platters to store data.
✔ Common in desktops, laptops, and servers.
✔ Advantages: Large storage, relatively low cost.
✔ Disadvantages: Slower data access, sensitive to physical shocks.
▪ Magnetic Tapes:
✔ Used primarily for backup and archival storage.
✔ Sequential access, not suitable for quick retrieval of data.
✔ Advantages: Large capacity, cost-effective for archival storage.
✔ Disadvantages: Slow access time, requires special devices to read/write.
 Types of Secondary Memory cont..
b. Optical Storage
▪ CDs and DVDs:
✔ Use laser light to read and write data.
✔ Common for media distribution, small data storage.
✔ Advantages: Portable, inexpensive.
✔ Disadvantages: Limited capacity (700MB for CDs, 4.7GB for DVDs), slower
read/write speeds.
c. Solid-State Storage :
▪ Solid State Drives (SSD):
✔ Use flash memory to store data.
✔ Faster data access compared to HDDs.
✔ Advantages: High speed, no moving parts, more durable.
✔ Disadvantages: Higher cost per GB, lower storage capacity compared to HDDs.
 Types of Secondary Memory cont..
d. Flash Storage
▪ USB Flash Drives:
✔ Portable and easy to use for transferring data.
✔ Common in both consumer and professional environments.
✔ Advantages: Portable, no need for external power.
✔ Disadvantages: Limited capacity compared to HDDs or SSDs.
.
Structure of HDD
▪ One or more platters in the form of disks covered with
magnetic media.
▪ Each platter has two working surfaces.
▪ Each working surface is divided into a number of concentric
rings called tracks.
▪ Each track is further divided into sectors, traditionally
containing 512 bytes of data each, although some modern
disks occasionally use larger sector sizes.
▪ The data on a hard drive is read by read-write heads. The
standard configuration ( shown below ) uses one head per
surface, each on a separate arm, and controlled by a common
arm assembly which moves all heads simultaneously from one
cylinder to another.
▪ The storage capacity of a traditional disk drive is equal to the
number of heads ( i.e. the number of working surfaces ), times
the number of tracks per surface, times the number of sectors
per track, times the number of bytes per sector
 Seek Time
✔ The time taken by the read/write head of the HDD to move to the track where the desired
data is located.
✔ Typical Range: 3 to 15 milliseconds (ms) for modern HDDs.
✔ Example: Suppose an HDD’s average seek time is 8 ms. If a request is made to read data
from a location 5 tracks away, it will take approximately 8 ms for the head to position itself
over the correct track.
HDD cont..
HDD cont..
 BIOS (Basic Input Output System)
▪ BIOS, which stands for Basic Input/Output System, is a fundamental software component that is
integral to the operation of a computer.
▪ BIOS is typically stored on a chip on the computer's motherboard, and its primary function is to
initialize and manage the essential hardware components during the boot-up process.
▪ When you turn on your computer, the BIOS is the first software to run.
▪ It performs a Power-On Self-Test (POST) to check the integrity of the hardware components, such as
the CPU, RAM, storage devices, and input/output devices (keyboard, mouse, display).
▪ The POST ensures that these components are functioning correctly.
▪ After completing the POST, the BIOS determines which storage device (e.g., hard drive, solid-state
drive, USB drive) to boot from.
▪ It looks for the boot loader, which is a small program stored in a specific location on the selected boot
device.
▪ The boot loader then loads the operating system into memory.
 Firmware
▪ Firmware is a type of software that is embedded in hardware devices to provide low-level
control and management of the hardware's operation.
▪ It contains specific instructions and code that enable the hardware to perform essential
functions, such as initializing hardware components, managing power, and controlling
hardware features.
▪ Firmware is closely tied to the hardware it is installed on and is responsible for ensuring the
device operates as intended.
▪ Firmware is typically stored in non-volatile memory, such as ROM (Read-Only Memory),
EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), or flash memory.
▪ It remains intact even when the device is powered off and is not easily altered by end-users.
 Software
▪ Software refers to a broad category of programs and applications that run on a computer's
operating system.
▪ Software is designed for a wide range of purposes, from word processing and web
browsing to games and media players.
▪ Software is stored on various storage devices like hard drives, solid-state drives, optical
media, or downloaded from the internet.
▪ Software updates are more frequent and can be developed and distributed by various
software vendors.
▪ These updates address bug fixes, provide feature enhancements, and improve security.
Users can often choose when and if they want to install software updates.
 Classification of Software
The two main categories of software are:
▪ System Software
▪ Application Software
 Classification of Software – (System Software)

▪ System software is a type of software that provides a platform for other

software to run on and interacts directly with the hardware of a computer.
▪ The primary purpose of system software is to manage and facilitate the
efficient functioning of the computer system.
▪ The programs of system software can be grouped into :
▪ Operating Systems
▪ Language Translators and
▪ Utility Programs
 Classification of Software – (Application
Software)
▪ Application software refers to a set of computer programs or applications
designed to perform specific tasks for end-users.
▪ Unlike system software, which manages the hardware and provides essential
services, application software is developed to meet the diverse needs and
requirements of users.
 Classification of Software – (Application
Software) cont..
▪ Word Processing Software: ▪ Database Management Software:
Examples: Microsoft Access, MySQL, Oracle
Examples: Microsoft Word,
Google Docs, LibreOffice Writer Database
▪ Graphics and Design Software:
▪ Spreadsheet Software: Examples: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator,
Examples: Microsoft Excel, Google CorelDRAW
Sheets, LibreOffice Calc ▪ Web Browsers:
▪ Presentation Software: Examples: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox,
Microsoft Edge
Examples: Microsoft ▪ Media Players:
PowerPoint, Google Slides, Examples: VLC Media Player, Windows Media
LibreOffice Impress
Player, iTunes
Classification of Software – (Application
Software) cont..
▪ Project Management Software:
Examples: Trello, Asana, Jira
▪ Web Development Tools:
Examples: Sublime Text, Visual Studio Code, Adobe
Dreamweaver
▪ Education and Learning Software:
Examples: Moodle, Khan Academy, Duolingo
▪ Communication Software:
Examples: Skype, Slack, Zoom
 Operating System
▪ An operating system is a program that acts as an interface between the user
and the computer hardware and controls the execution of all kinds of
programs.
▪ The software that contains the core components of the operating system is
called the kernel.
▪ Some popular Operating Systems include Linux Operating System, Windows
Operating System, UNIX, VMS, OS/400, AIX, z/OS, etc.
Architecture of Operating System
 Language Translators
▪ Language translators are tools that convert source code written in one
programming language into machine code or an intermediate code that can
be executed by a computer.
▪ There are three main types of language translators:
▪ Compilers
▪ Interpreters and
▪ Assemblers
 Language Translators - Compilers
▪A compiler is a
complex piece of
software whose job is
to convert source code
to machine
understandable code
(or binary code) in one
go.
 Language Translators - Interpreter
▪ An interpreter is a
software program
written to translate
source code to
machine code but it
does line by line.
 Language Translators - Assembler
▪ Assembler is a translator which is used to translate
the assembly language code into machine language
code.
▪ The source program written in the assembly
language is given as the input to the assembler.
▪ The output generated by the assembler is the
object code or machine code understandable by
the computer.
▪ Example :
▪ FAP->Fortan Assembly Program
▪ MAP->Macro Assembly Program
 Difference between Compiler and Interpreter
S.No
Compiler Interpreter
.

1. Compiler scans the whole program in one go. Translates program one statement at a time.

As it scans the code in one go, the errors (if any) are Considering it scans code one line at a time, errors are
2.
shown at the end together. shown line by line.

Due to interpreters being slow in executing the object

3. Main advantage of compilers is it’s execution time.
code, it is preferred less.

It does not convert source code into object code

4. It converts the source code into object code.
instead it scans it line by line

5 It does not require source code for later execution. It requires source code for later execution.

Eg. C, C++, C# etc. Python, Ruby, Perl, SNOBOL, MATLAB, etc.

 Utility Software
▪ The Utility Software is system software that helps to maintain the proper and
smooth functioning of a Computer System.
▪ It assists the Operating System to manage, organize, maintain, and optimize
the functioning of the computer system.
 Types of Utility Software
Antivirus software:
▪ Antivirus software is designed to detect and remove viruses, malware, and other
malicious software from a computer system.
Disk cleaners:
▪ Disk cleaners are tools that scan a computer’s hard drive for unnecessary files and other
data that can be safely deleted to free up storage space.
Backup and recovery software:
▪ Backup and recovery software allows users to create copies of their data and restore it in
the event of data loss or system failure.
 Types of Utility Software cont..
System optimizers:
▪ System optimizers are tools that can improve a computer’s performance by optimizing system
settings, removing unnecessary files and programs, and managing system resources.
Disk defragmenters:
▪ Disk defragmenters are utilities that can organize a computer’s hard drive to improve file access
times and overall system performance.
File compression software:
▪ File compression software can compress files and folders to save storage space and make them
easier to transfer over the internet.
Disk encryption software:
▪ Disk encryption software can encrypt data on a computer’s hard drive to protect it from
unauthorized access
Thank You