1.1.3 Input, Output and Storage

Question 1

Input, Output and Storage devices

What is an input device?

Answer 1

Any device which allows you to get information from the outside world into a computer system

Question 2

Input, Output and Storage devices

Give an example of an input device

Answer 2

Card readers

Keyboards

Microphones

Bar code readers

Cameras

Mice

Question 3

Input, Output and Storage devices

What is an output device?

Answer 3

Any device which is able to take digitally stored data and convert it into another format which users can process

Question 4

Input, Output and Storage devices

Give an example of an output device

Answer 4

Speaker

Project

Printer

Headphone

Monitor

Motor

Question 5

Input, Output and Storage devices

What is a storage device?

Answer 5

Any hardware used for either temporary or permanent storage of data, being internal or external to the computer

Question 6

Input, Output and Storage devices

Give an example of an internal and an external storage device

Answer 6

Internal:

Magnetic hard drive

RAM

ROM

Solid state drive

External:

DVD

Blu-ray

USB pen

Portable hard drive

SD card

Question 7

Magnetic, flash and optical storage

Describe how magnetic storage devices work

Answer 7

Stores data using magnetic fields

Uses a series of magnetic disks (platters) which are magnetised

A read-write head moves close to the platter, which then detects and can modify magnetic properties of the platter

Question 8

Magnetic, flash and optical storage

Describe how optical storage works

Answer 8

Stores data using markers which can be read/written to with an optical laser

A series of pits and lands on the surface of the disk is used to store the binary values

High powered laser can change properties of the disk, a low power laser can read the disk

Question 9

Magnetic, flash and optical storage

Describe how solid state storage devices work

Answer 9

Stores data directly onto microchips

Uses flash storage, which is similar to RAM

Flash storage is non-volatile, and data is read/written directly to blocks and pages on the microchip

Question 10

Magnetic, flash and optical storage

Why are the positives and negatives of magnetic storage?

Answer 10

Positives:

Cheap

Large capacity

Negatives:

Slow access time

Fragile, e.g. magnetic fields

Question 11

Magnetic, flash and optical storage

What are the positives and negatives of optical storage?

Answer 11

Positives:

Cheap

Light weight

Portable

Negatives:

Slow access time

Prone to scratches / damage

Question 12

Magnetic, flash and optical storage

What are the positives and negatives of solid state storage?

Answer 12

Positives:

Durable

Fast access time

Negatives:

Cost

Limited number of read/writes