Input and Output, Storage Flashcards
what is an input device?
a device that is used to pass data into the computer
what are some examples of input devices ?
keyboard
mouse
scanner
microphone
what is an output device ?
devices used to report the results of processing data
what are some output devices?
monitor, speaker, printer
what are storage devices?
devices that are used to permanently store data when the power is switched off
what are the three main categories of storage devices?
- magnetic
- flash
- optical
what is magnetic storage ?
Type of secondary storage that uses magnets to read and store data.
What are some examples of magnetic storage?
HDDs
zip drives
floppy disks
what are the advantages of magnetic storage?
they tend to have a high capacity at a low cost
what are some disadvantages of magnetic storage?
they can be noisy due to the parts moving at a high speed and can be damaged if moved too quickly.
what is flash memory?
where data is stored on memory chips. these can have their contents erased and overwritten if an electrical charge is applied.
what are the advantages of flash memory?
- they have no moving parts therefore leads to lower power consumption
-higher read/write speeds than magnetic or optical
-require less space and operate silently
what are the disadvantages of flash memory?
- expensive
what are the advantages of optical storage?
- cheap
- resilient
- portable
what is optical storage?
works by using a laser and by looking at its reflection
what does RAM stand for?
Random Access Memory
what are some examples of optical storage?
- CD
- DVDs
- Blu-ray Discs
what is RAM?
where the user files applications, and software currently. in use are temporarily stored.
what are the disadvantages of RAM?
- it is volatile meaning it loses its contents when the power is off.
-it is large - it is editable which means users can alter saved contents of files in current use
what are the advantages of RAM?
- operates at a much faster speed than secondary storage media
- the processor can access its data locations directly and equally as quickly as any other data location
what does ROM stand for?
Read Only Memory
what is ROM?
a small memory that can be read from but not written to
where should the ROM be stored?
Read-only medium which is non-volatile meaning the contents of its memory are not erased when the power is off
what is virtual storage?
combination of physical storage devices into a virtual single storage device
what are the advantages of virtual storage?
- remote storage and software
- accessible anywhere
- no need to hire specialist staff or to back up
- security is someone else’s responsibility
