Topic 01: Input, Output and Storage

Question 1

Define an input device

Answer 1

A device that allows to pass information into a computer system

Question 2

Define an output device

Answer 2

Device that can take data stored in a digital form and convert it into another form humans can process- e.g sound, images, vibrations

Question 3

Define a storage device

Answer 3

Device used for temporary or permanent storage- internal or external

Question 4

List common storage devices in computer science (6)

Answer 4

Portable solid- state drive
Internal solid- state drive
Magnetic hard drive
Mass storage type
External hard drive
Cloud storage

Question 5

Define Optical storage

Answer 5

Data = recored onto optical disks.
Lasers read and write data

Question 6

List common examples of optical storage

Answer 6

Dvd- rw
Blu- ray
Cdrw

Question 7

Advantages of optical storage

Answer 7

Cheap
Lightweight
Portable

Question 8

Disadvantages of optical storage

Answer 8

Slow access times
Prone to scratches

Question 9

Define Magnetic storage

Answer 9

Data = recorded onto magnetic disks.
Mechanical parts move over the disk surface to read and write data

Question 10

List common examples of magnetic storage

Answer 10

Hard disk drive
Magnetic Tape

Question 11

Advantages of magnetic storage

Answer 11

Cheap
Large capacity

Question 12

Disadvantages of magnetic storage

Answer 12

Slow access times
Fragile

Question 13

Define Solid state drive

Answer 13

Data = recorded onto solid- state memory chips.
No mechanical moving parts needed

Question 14

List common examples of solid state/ flash storage

Answer 14

SSD
Memory sticks
Flash memory cards

Question 15

Advantages of Solid state drive

Answer 15

Durable
Fast access times

Question 16

Disadvantages of Solid state drive

Answer 16

Cost
Limited read/ write

Question 17

Define ROM

Answer 17

• Small piece of read- only memory located on the motherboard
• Non- volatile
• Contains very first instructions for the computer (bootstrap)

Question 18

Define RAM

Answer 18

• Temporary storage of instructions + data
• Holds information being executed by the processor
• Volatile
• Much faster than the hard disk

Question 19

List 4 internal components of a computer system

Answer 19

• ROM
• CPU
• RAM
• Hard drive

Question 20

Define virtual storage/ cloud storage

Answer 20

• Store and retrieve data over the Internet in the cloud
• Instead of a local storage

Question 21

Advantages of virtual storage

Answer 21

• Data can be accessed at any time from anywhere as long as there is Internet Access
• Data can be easily shared without the need for removable media transfer
• Storage considered to be “limitless” from the user’s point of view

Question 22

Disadvantages of virtual storage

Answer 22

• Can become quite expensive
• If connectivity is poor, access time can slow
• No internet connection means no access to files