Storage

Question 1

Primary storage

Answer 1

Also known as main memory and this is another name for RAM or ROM
It is used to store data temporarily
Usually very quick
Main memory is used to store data whilst it is being processed but the CPU

Question 2

Secondary storage

Answer 2

Also known as backing storage
The name for all other data storage devices in a computer
Usually non-volatile
Used to store data for a long time

Question 3

Storage medium

Answer 3

The device that actually hold the data is known at the storage medium
The device that reads/saves the data from/to the medium is known as the storage device
Can be fixed/permanent part of the storage device

Question 4

Serial/sequential access

Answer 4

Stores files one-by-one in a sequence

E.g. recorded TV shows are only available in the same order that you recorded them in - serial access

Question 5

Direct/random access

Answer 5

Stored files so that they can instantly accessed
E.g. a DVD movie, you can jump to any scene on a DVD
All parts of the DVD are accessible this is direct access

Question 6

Magnetic storage devices

Answer 6

They store data in the form of tiny magnetic dots

The dots are created, read and erased using magnetic fields created by tiny electromagnets

Question 7

Hard drives

Answer 7

Very large storage capacity
They are random access devices
Access speeds are very fast
Data is stored inside a hard disk drive on rotating metal or glass discs called platters

Question 8

Fixed hard drive

Answer 8

This is a hard drive that is built into the case of the computer
They act as the main backing storage device for almost every computer
They provide very quick, random access to files

Question 9

Portable hard drive

Answer 9

It is in a small case with some electronics that allow the bar-drive to be accessed using a USB or similar connection
Large amounts of data can be transported form computer to computer

Question 10

Magnetic tape

Answer 10

Magnetic tape is a large capacity serial access medium
Accessing data is slow
A typical use for magnetic tape is for back up data
They are also used in some batch processing applications

Question 11

Floppy disc

Answer 11

A removable, portable, cheap, low capacity storage medium
They are random access devices
Transfer small amounts of data between computers or to back up small files
Access times are slow

Question 12

Zip disc

Answer 12

A removable and portable storage medium
Higher capacity than a floppy discs
They are random access
Used to backup data or to transfer large files between computers

Question 13

Jaz disc

Answer 13

A removable and portable storage medium based on hard drive technology
They have a large capacity
They are random access devices used to back up data or to move large files between computers
They were expensive to buy and not very reliable

Question 14

Optical storage devices

Answer 14

They save patterns as dots that can be read using a laser beam
The laser bounces on the surface of the medium
The dots can be created by the laser beam on media that is writable
This is known as ‘burning’ data onto a disc

Question 15

CD-ROM

Answer 15

Compact disc - read only memory
Hold around 800MB of data
It is non volatile
CD-ROMs are random access devices
They are used to distribute all sorts of data
E.g. Software, music, books

Question 16

DVD-ROM

Answer 16

Digital versatile disc - read only memory
Hold around 4.7gb of data
They are random access devices
Used to store the same as CD-ROMs but can store more so are also used to store high-quality videos

Question 17

Blu-Ray

Answer 17

Recent replacement for DVDs
Can hold 25-50gb of data
Random access devices
Used in the same way as DVD-ROMs but as they can store more, they are used to store HD videos

Question 18

HD DVD

Answer 18

High density DVD
Can hold 15 gab of data
Random access devices
Used in the same way as DVD-ROMs but as they can store more, they are used to store HD videos

Question 19

CD-R and DVD-R

Answer 19

CD- recordable and DVD- recordable
They can have data burnt onto them, but not erased
You can keep adding until the disc is full
You cannot remove any data or re-use a disc that is full

Question 20

CD-RW and DVD-RW

Answer 20

CD-rewritable and DVD-rewritable

They can have data burnt onto them and also erased so that the discs can be re-used

Question 21

DVD-RAM

Answer 21

DVD-random access memory
Type of rewritable DVD
often Coke in a floppy disc case to prevent damage
They hold 4.7gb of data random access devices
Used in many camcorders
The discs are much higher quality, can reliably store data for up to 30 years
Often used for video and data backup and also archiving