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GCSE Computer Science > 1.2 Memory and Storage > Flashcards

1.2 Memory and Storage Flashcards

1
Q

The need for primary storage

A

To hold data, programs and instructions that are currently in use.

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2
Q

Types of Primary Storage

A

RAM
ROM

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3
Q

RAM

A

Random Access Memory

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4
Q

ROM

A

Read Only Memory

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5
Q

The difference between RAM and ROM

A
  • ROM is read-only, RAM can be read from and written to.
  • RAM is volatile, ROM is non-volatile
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6
Q

Purpose of RAM

A

RAM is used to hold the operating system and any open documents and programs that are Running At the Moment.

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7
Q

Purpose of ROM

A

ROM stores instructions and data that are needed for the computer to run, such as BIOS program.

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8
Q

Virtual Memory

A

Virtual Memory is the use of secondary storage as additional primary memory.

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9
Q

The need for Virtual Memory

A

Allows data in RAM that isn’t currently being used to be transferred to the hard disk to free up space.

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10
Q

Cache

A

Cache is a type of high-speed RAM that is used to temporarily hold frequently used instructions.

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11
Q

The need for Secondary Storage

A
  • Storage of programs and data when the power is turned off.
  • Semi-permanent storage of data that can change.
  • Backup of data files.
  • Archive of data files.
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12
Q

Types of Secondary Storage

A
  • Optical
  • Magnetic
  • Solid State
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13
Q

Advantages of Optical

A
  • Cheap
  • Portable
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14
Q

Disadvantages of Optical

A
  • Slow write speed
  • Not durable
  • Low storage
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15
Q

Examples of Optical

A

CD, DVD, Blu-Ray

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16
Q

Advantages of Magnetic

A
  • Cheap
  • Durable
  • High storage
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17
Q

Disadvantages of Magnetic

A
  • Slow write speed
  • Not portable
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18
Q

Examples of Magnetic

A

Hard drive, tape drive, floppy disk.

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19
Q

Advantages of Solid State

A
  • Portable
  • Durable
  • High storage
  • Fast write speed
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20
Q

Disadvantages of Solid State

A
  • Expensive
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21
Q

Examples of Solid State

A

USB drive, SD card, Micro SC card.

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22
Q

Nibble

A

4 bits

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23
Q

Byte

24
Q

Kilobyte (KB)

A

1000 bytes

25
Q

Megabyte (MB)

26
Q

Gigabyte (GB)

27
Q

Terabyte (TB)

28
Q

Petabyte (PB)

29
Q

Why must data be stored in binary?

A

All information that is processed by a computer is in the form of binary in order for it to be understood.

30
Q

Metadata

A

Additional data stored with the image/audio about the file. Eg. file type, date created, author

31
Q

Right binary shift

A

Halves the value

32
Q

Left binary shift

A

Doubles the value.

33
Q

Character set

A

A defined list of characters that can be stored an recognised by a computer system.

34
Q

Example of character sets

A
  • ASCII
  • Unicode
35
Q

Calculate text file size

A

Bits per character x Number of characters

36
Q

Representation of Images

A

Each pixel has a binary value that corresponds to a colour, and when they come together they make an image.

37
Q

Bitmap

A

An image made up of different coloured pixels, each with their own binary value.

38
Q

Vector

A

The mathematics needed to store the square are stored.

39
Q

Colour depth

A

The number of bits per pixel.
The more bits per pixel, more colours are available to be represented.

40
Q

Effect of Colour Depth on file size

A

The greater the colour depth, the larger the file size.

41
Q

Calculate image file size

A

Colour depth x Image height x Image width

42
Q

Representation of Sound

A

A microphone picks up sound as an analogue wave, which is then converted to binary with an ADC for the computer to understand.

43
Q

ADC

A

Analogue to Digital Converter

44
Q

Bit Depth

A

The number of bits stored per sample

45
Q

Effect of Bit Depth on file size

A

The greater the bit depth, the larger the file size.

46
Q

Sample Rate

A

How often you record the amplitude of a sound wave. Measured in Hz.

47
Q

Effect of Sample Rate on file size

A

The greater the sample size,

48
Q

Calculate sound file size

A

Bit Depth x Sample Rate x Track Length

49
Q

Compression

A

Reducing the number of bits in a file.

50
Q

Lossy Compression

A

The file size is greatly reduced however some data is permanently lost in the process.

51
Q

Lossless Compression

A

The file size is reduced and no data is lost, rather it is encoded differently.

52
Q

Advantages of Lossy Compression

A
  • Reduces the file size greatly
  • Suitable for image, sound and video files
53
Q

Disadvantages of Lossy Compression

A
  • Reduces the quality of the image/audio file.
  • Unsuitable for text or executable files
54
Q

Advantages of Lossless Compression

A
  • No data is lost.
  • Can be turned back into original format.
  • Can be used on all types of data
55
Q

Disadvantages of Lossless Compression

A
  • Less effective than lossy compression at reducing file size.

GCSE Computer Science (11 decks)

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