3.3 Data storage Flashcards
What is primary storage?
a type of storage which is directly accessed from the CPU
What is secondary storage?
a type of storage which his designed to store data permanently, until it is deleted by the user
Main differences between RAM and ROM
RAM is volatile while ROM isn’t
RAM contains data and programs that are currently in use while ROM stores programs that are initially booted by the computer
RAM’s contents are constantly being changed as data is being processed by the CPU . ROM’s contents are fixed and are not normally changed
it is very easy to increase RAM , not easy to alter ROM
Describe the operation of magnetic, optical and
solid-state (flash memory)
- Magnetic storage uses platters which are divided
into tracks and sectors. Data is read and written
using electromagnets’ - Optical storage uses lasers to create and read pits
and lands - Solid-state (flash memory) uses NAND or NOR
technology. Transistors are used as control gates
and floating gates
What is virtual memory?
a type of memory that can be used as a extension to the RAM
When does virtual memory come into use?
When a computer only has a set amount of RAM , when that RAM becomes full it needs extra help so virtual memory comes in
How is virtual memory created?
It is created in a computer in a computer system with a hard drive component. a section of that hard drive is partitioned off and is effectively an extra bit of RAM instead.
How does the computer decide what data to temporarily transfer to the virtual memory?
it will choose to send that that isn’t as immediately required as other data
What the the name of the location of which the data is collected at?
a page
What is a page?
a unit of data
When are the pages of data sent back?
they are sent back to the RAM when they are required again
What is cloud storage?
data storage that is owned by a third party storage and accessed by the user, using the internet
What are the 4 differences between cloud storage and hardware storage?
- For cloud storage you don’t need to pay for the hardware store the data while hardware storage needs to be purchased in order to store the data
2.For cloud storage you do not have the responsibility for the security of the hardware that stores the data but with local storage you need to maintain the hardware and check up on it regularly
3.With cloud storage you can increase or deacrease the amount of storage space you need very easily but with local storage you can only chnage the amount of storage space by going to shops and buying expensive hardware
4.With cloud storage you can access it anywhere as long as you have a internet connection whilest local storage can be accessed as long as
