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Lesson 3

The document provides an overview of computer storage, categorizing it into primary and secondary memory. It details various types of primary memory, including RAM and ROM, as well as secondary storage options like hard disk drives, solid-state drives, and cloud storage. The importance of storage in data processing and retrieval is emphasized throughout the text.

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14 views

Lesson 3

The document provides an overview of computer storage, categorizing it into primary and secondary memory. It details various types of primary memory, including RAM and ROM, as well as secondary storage options like hard disk drives, solid-state drives, and cloud storage. The importance of storage in data processing and retrieval is emphasized throughout the text.

Uploaded by

Quobby67
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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University of Mines and

Technology

Introduction to Computing

Course Instructor
Mrs Ivy Botchway
Essandoh (PhD) 1
Storage In Computers

2
Types of Storage (Memory)

• Storage in computers plays a vital role in the processing,


retrieval, and preservation of data and instructions.

• It allows a computer to temporarily or permanently hold


information, ensuring smooth operations and efficient
processing.

• Storage can be broadly categorized into two main types:

Primary Secondary
Memory Memory
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Primary Memory (Internal
Memory)
• Primary memory, also known as main memory, is directly accessible
by the processor and is used for the temporary storage of data and
instructions during processing.

• It serves as an important part of a computer and is the main area in


a computer where data is stored.

• The stored data can be recalled instantly and correctly whenever


desired. This memory can be quickly accessed by the CPU for
reading or storing information.

• This memory is accessed by the CPU in a random fashion.

• Primary memory is classified into two types: Random Access


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Primary Memory: Random Access
Memory (RAM)

• The RAM is also known as read/write memory as information


can be read from and written onto it.

• RAM is a place in a computer that holds instructions for the


computer, its programs and the data. The CPU can directly
access (stores and retrieves data/information) from RAM
almost immediately.

• Storage of data and instructions in RAM is temporary.

• RAM is further divided in to two types

 DRAM (Dynamic Random access Memory)


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Dynamic RAM

• DRAM stands for Dynamic RAM. A type of physical


memory used in most personal computers.

• The term dynamic indicates that the memory must be


constantly refreshed (reenergized) or it will lose its
contents.

• Slower but cost-effective and is used as the main


memory.

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Static RAM

• SRAM stands for Static RAM. Short for static random


access memory.

• It is a type of memory that is faster and more reliable


than the more common DRAM (dynamic RAM).

• The term static is derived from the fact that it doesn't


need to be refreshed like dynamic RAM.

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Read Only Memory (ROM)

• The ROM is called read-only memory because information can only


be read from and not written or changed. ROM is the `built-in'
memory of a computer.

• It stores the firmware and essential system instructions like the


BIOS which has been put by the manufacturer to operate the
computer. The storage of data and instructions in ROM is
permanent and cannot be altered by the user. On some computers
the operating system is stored in ROM.

• The content is written onto the ROM when it is first made. ROM is
Non-Volatile Memory.
8
Types of ROM

PROM

• PROMs are manufactured as blank chips on which data can be


written to once with a special device called a PROM programmer.

EPROM

• A rewritable memory chip that holds its content without power.


EPROM chips are written on an external programming device before
being placed on the mother board.

EEPROM

• A rewritable memory chip that holds its content without power.


EEPROMs are typically used on circuit boards to store small amounts
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Cache Memory

• Cache memory is a small, high-speed memory located close to or


within the processor. It is a chip-based computer component that
makes retrieving data from the computer's memory more efficient.

• It acts as a temporary storage area that the computer’s processor


can retrieve data from easily. This temporary storage area is more
readily available to the processor than the computer's main memory
source.

• Cache memory is not to be confused with the broader term cache.


Caches temporarily store data that can exist in both hardware and
software. Cache memory refers to the specific hardware component
that allows computers to create caches at various levels of the
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Registers

• The fastest memory in a computer, located within the


CPU. It stores small amounts of data temporarily for
immediate processing.

• It includes registers like the accumulator, instruction


register, and program counter.

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Secondary Memory (External
Storage)
• Secondary memory, also called the “auxiliary memory or backup
storage" is used to store large volume of data on a permanent basis
which can be transferred to the primary memory whenever required for
processing.

• Storage holds data, instructions, and information for future use. For
example, computers can store hundreds or millions of customer names
and addresses.

• A storage device records (writes) and/or retrieves (reads) items to and


from storage media. Storage devices often function as a source of input
because they transfer items from storage to memory.

Examples of storage media are USB flash drives, hard disks, optical discs,
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Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
• A hard disk is a storage device with inflexible, circular platters that use
magnetic particles to store data, instructions, and information.

• The system unit on most personal computers contains at least one hard
disk, sometimes called an internal hard disk because it is not portable.

• Hard disks store data and instructions in tracks and sectors on a platter.
A track is a narrow recording band that forms a full circle on the surface
of the disk. The disks storage locations consist of pie-shaped sections,
which break the tracks into small arcs called sectors.

On a hard disk, a sector


typically stores up to 512
bytes of data. Storage
capacities on of internal hard
disks for personal computers
range from 160 GB to more
than 2 TB.
Solid-State Drive (SSD)

• It is a storage device that typically uses flash memory instead


of spinning disks, resulting in faster data access speeds, to
store data, instructions, and information. With available sizes
of 3.5 inches, 2.5 inches, and 1.8 inches, SSDs are used in all
types of computers, including desktop computers, mobile
computers, and mobile devices such as portable media players
and digital video cameras.
Storage capacities of current
SSDs range from 16 GB to 256
GB and more.

14
Portable/ External Hard Disks

• Some hard disks are portable. An external hard disk is a


separate free-standing hard disk that connects with a cable to
a port on the system unit or communicates wirelessly. A
removable hard disk is a hard disk that you insert and remove
from a drive. Both internal and external hard disks are
available in miniature sizes to allow users to transport their
data easily

15
Flash Storage (USB Drives, Memory
Cards)

• Flash memory is a type of memory that can be erased


electronically and rewritten.

• Flash memory chips are a type of solid state media,


which means they consist entirely of electronic
components and contain no moving parts.

Types of flash memory storage include solid state drives,


memory cards, USB flash drives, and microSD cards.

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Optical Storage Disc

• An optical disc is a flat, round, portable metal disc with a


plastic coating. CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray Discs are three types
of optical discs. A CD can hold from 650 million to 1 billion
characters. Some DVDs can store two full-length movies or 17
billion characters. Blue-ray Discs can store about 46 hours of
standard video, or 100 billion characters.

• Because of the popularity of flash and cloud storage


technology nowadays, optical discs are almost becoming
obsolete.

17
Cloud Storage

• Cloud storage is an Internet


service that provides hard disk
storage to computer users.
• Fee arrangements vary. For example, one cloud storage service
provides 25 GB of storage free to registered users; another
charges $5 per month for 150 GB of storage.

• For organizations, cloud storage services typically charge for


storage on a per gigabyte basis, such as 15 cents per gigabyte.
Types of services offered by cloud storage providers vary.
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