2.1.5 - Identify the need for persistent storage.

Question 1

Why is persistent storage needed?

Answer 1

Persistent storage, also known as secondary storage, is needed because primary memory is volatile.

Question 2

What is primary/main memory?

Answer 2

Primary/Main Memory is the main working memory, generally volatile (except ROM), and directly accessible by the CPU.

Question 3

What are the types of primary/main memory?

Answer 3

Types of primary/main memory include registers, cache, RAM, and ROM.

Question 4

What are registers?

Answer 4

Registers are the smallest and fastest type of primary memory, used to hold data the CPU is currently working on.

Question 5

What is cache memory?

Answer 5

Cache memory is small, fast, and close to the CPU, used to hold frequently used data.

Question 6

What is RAM?

Answer 6

RAM holds data and instructions from running programs.

Question 7

What is ROM?

Answer 7

ROM is non-volatile memory that holds the operating system’s start-up instructions and BIOS.

Question 8

What is secondary memory?

Answer 8

Secondary memory comprises slower but higher capacity devices, is non-volatile, and not directly accessible by the CPU.

Question 9

What are the types of secondary memory?

Answer 9

Types of secondary memory include hard disks, magnetic tape, optical disks, and flash drives.

Question 10

What is virtual memory?

Answer 10

Virtual memory is used when primary memory is overloaded, sending data to secondary storage temporarily and returning it to primary storage when needed. It is slower and stored in units called ‘pages’.