Computer Education

Lecture # 10

Muhammad Haseeb Younas

Lecturer
Department of CS & IT
Faculty of Computer
Sciences
University of the Lahore
 Topic

• Storage Devices
 Learning Objectives

Understand the basics of computer education

 Content
Storage Devices
 Storage Devices
• A storage device is used in the computers to
store the data.
• Another way to define, A storage device is
any hardware capable of holding information
either temporarily or permanently.
• Provides one of the core functions of the
modern computer.
 Why is storage needed in a computer?

• Without a storage device, a computer cannot

save or remember any settings or information and
would be considered a dumb terminal
• Although a computer can run with no storage
device, it would only be able to view information,
unless it was connected to another computer that
had storage capabilities
• Even a task, such as browsing the Internet,
requires information to be stored on your computer
Bits and bytes
A computer only understands
the numbers 0 or 1, or
whether a switch is on or off.
We call those 1s and 0s ‘bits’ –
binary digits.
A byte (made up of 8 bits) is
enough computer memory to store
a single character of data (e.g. the
letter F).
The computer uses a code to understand what each bit
pattern means.
Using the ASCII code, for instance, the letter F is 70 and has
a bit pattern of 01000110.
 ASCII for Capital
ASCII
Letters American Standard Code for
65 A 78 N
Information Interchange is a
66 B 79 O
code which represents English
67 C 80 P
characters as numbers. Each
68 D 81 Q
69 E 82 R
letter is assigned a number. For
70 F 83 S
example, A = 65.
71 G 84 T
72 H 85 U Most computers use ASCII
73 I 86 V codes. This makes it possible to
74 J 87 W transfer data from one computer
75 K 88 X to another by changing the ASCII
76 L 89 Y code into a binary pattern.
77 M 90 Z
 Binary patterns
All computer data is stored in binary form.
This not only includes text, but images, sounds and movies
as well.
The more complex the data, the more memory is used to
store it.

This does not take up as …as this.

much memory…
 Data storage
The amount of data stored is measured in kilobytes (KB).

Confusingly, 1KB is actually 1,024 bytes (210), not 1,000 as

you might expect, but most people think in multiples of
1,000.
1 bytes= 8bits
1megabyte (MB) =1,024 KB (220)
1 gigabyte (GB) =1,024 MB (230)
1 terabyte (TB) = 1,024GB (240).
CSCA0101 Computing Basics

Storage Devices
Types of Storage

There are two type of storage:

• Primary Storage
• Secondary Storage

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CSCA0101 Computing Basics

Storage Devices
Primary Storage
• Also known as main memory.
• Primary storage is a storage location that holds memory
for short periods of times while the computer is on.
• The continuously reads instructions stored
CPU and executes them as required.
there
• Example:
– RAM
– ROM

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 Random Access Memory (RAM)
Computers store temporary data in the RAM (Random Access Memory).
These could be operating instructions, loose bits of data or content from
programs that are running.
The contents of RAM are constantly rewritten as the data is
processed.
When the computer is switched off,
all the data is cleared from the
RAM.
This type of memory is called
volatile because it only stores the
data whilst the computer is
switched on.
RAM sticks are found on the motherboard.
CSCA0101 Computing Basics

Storage Devices
There are two types of RAM:
1-DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)
2-SRAM (Static Random Access Memory)
Static RAM Dynamic RAM
• Faster • Slower
• More expensive • Less expensive
• More power consumption • Less power consumption
• does not need to be refreshed • needs to be refreshed
thousands of times per
second
 Read Only Memory (ROM)
When a computer is first switched on, it needs to load up the BIOS
(Basic Input/output System) and basic instructions for the
hardware.
These are stored in ROM (Read Only Memory).
Read Only Memory (ROM) is
both a non-volatile and
permanent form of primary
storage.
ROM can be found on the
motherboard.
 How memory works?
• The main memory is connected to the CPU through data
bus.
• When CPU wants to read data from the memory it first
place request on the control bus, and also place the
address of the bytes or word needed on the address bus.
• The memory unit reads the command and the address and
puts the required data on the data bus.
• The CPU then read this data from the data bus.
• This is similar for writing data.
Memory works
CSCA0101 Computing Basics

Storage Devices
Secondary Storage
• Secondary storage is a storage medium that holds
information until it is deleted or overwritten regardless if
the computer has power
• It is not directly accessible by the CPU.
• Computer usually uses its input/output channels to access
secondary storage and transfers the desired data using
intermediate area in primary storage.
• Example:
– Hard disk

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CSCA0101 Computing Basics

Storage Devices
Secondary Storage
Hard Disk
• The hard disk drive is the main, and usually largest, data
storage device in a computer.
• It can store anywhere from 160 gigabytes
to 2
terabytes.
• Hard disk speed is the speed at which content can
be read and written on a hard disk.
• A hard disk unit comes with a set rotation
speed varying from 4500 to 7200 rpm.
• Disk access time is measured in milliseconds.

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CSCA0101 Computing Basics

Storage Devices
Secondary Storage
Hard Disk

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 Types of Hard Disk
There are two types of Hard Disk
• Internal Hard disk
• External Hard disk
CSCA0101 Computing Basics

Storage Devices
Secondary Storage
Hard Disk

Internal Hard disk External Hard disk

Portability No Yes
Price Less expensive More expensive
Speed Fast Slow
Size Big Small

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CSCA0101 Computing Basics

Storage Devices
Secondary Storage
Hard Disk

Internal Hard disk External Hard disk

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 Magnetic card
• A magnetic card is a card that contains either
a magnetic strip or a magnetic object in the
card, encoded with digital data.
• A magnetic card may contain information
about an individual, such as available credit on
a credit card or pass codes for entering secure
buildings. It's usually the size of a business
card or credit card.
 Magnetic card
• The picture is an example of a magnetic card
being swiped through a magnetic card reader.
CSCA0101 Computing Basics

Storage Devices

Optical Disc
• Optical disc is any storage media that holds content in
digital format and is read using a laser assembly is
considered optical media.
• The most common types of optical media are
– Compact Disc (CD)
– Digital Versatile Disc (DVD)

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Storage Devices
 Flash Memory

• Flash Memory has replaced most magnetic and

optical media as it becomes cheaper because it
is the more efficient and reliable solution.
 Flash drive
• Alternatively referred to as a USB flash
drive, data stick, pen drive, memory
unit, keychain drive and thumb drive, a jump
drive is a portable storage device.
• It is often the size of a human thumb (hence the
name), and connects to a computer via
a USB port. Flash drives are an easy way
to store and transfer information between
computers and range in sizes from 2 GB to 1 TB.
Flash drive
CSCA0101 Computing Basics

Storage Devices
Memory Card
• An electronic flash memory storage disk commonly
used in consumer electronic devices such as digital
cameras, MP3 players, mobile phones, and other
small portable devices.
• Memory cards are usually read by connecting the
device containing the card to your computer, or by
using a USB card reader.

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CSCA0101 Computing Basics

Storage Devices
Memory Card

Secure Digital card (SD) MiniSD Compact Flash Memory Stick

MultiMedia card XD-Picture card Memory card reader

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 Online and cloud
Storing data online and in cloud storage is
becoming popular as people need to access their
data from more than one device.
• Cloud storage
• Network media
 Cloud computing
• Cloud computing is a term used to describe
services provided over a network by a
collection of remote servers.
• This abstract "cloud" of computers provides
massive, distributed storage and processing
power, which can be accessed by any Internet-
connected device running a web browser.
How do you access cloud computing?
• Cloud computing is accessed through
an application (e.g., Dropbox app) on your
computer, smartphone, or tablet or
a website that accesses the cloud through
your browser
 Learning Outcomes

Understand the basics of computer education

 References
• Basic Computer Course: A Freshers Guide To
Modern Day Computing

• Brian Williams and Stacey Sawyer, Using

Information Technology, Latest Edition,
McGraw-Hill, ISBN: 0072260718