Storage is categorized as primary or secondary. Primary storage is RAM
(Main Memory), which is volatile. Secondary storage is permanent storage, which is nonvolatile. The capacity of storage devices is measured in bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, and a Terabytes. Files are classified as program files or data files, which in turn are classified as master files or transaction files. Data may remain in secondary storage for a while before being processed (Batch processing), or it may be processed immediately (real time processing). Primary storage and secondary storage: The term Primary storage (main memory) refers to RAM, where both data and instructions are temporarily held for immediate access and used by the computers microprocessor. Although the technology is changing, most primary storage is considered as a volatile form of storage, meaning that the data and instructions are lost when the computer is turned off. The term Secondary storage (auxiliary storage) is any storage device designed to retain data and instructions (programs) in a relatively permanent form. Secondary storage is nonvolatile, meaning that saved data and instructions remain intact when the computer is turned off. Data Representation & data storage capacity: The terms that used to measure the data capacity of storage devices are given below: Kilobyte : A kilobyte(abbreviated K or KB) is equivalent to 1024 bytes Megabyte: A megabyte (abbreviated M or MB) is 1 million bytes.(Rounded off) Gigabyte : A gigabyte (G or GB) is 1 billion bytes.(rounded off) Terabyte : A terabyte (T or TB) is about 1 trillion bytes. Types of files:
A file is a collection of information treated as a unit. There are many kinds of files, but the principal division is between program files and data files. Program files: Program files are files contained software instructions. In a word processing program for example, you may see files listed (with names such as INSTALL. EXE) that performs specific function associated with word processing. These files are part of software package. Data files: Data files are files that contain data. Often you will create a name these files yourself, such as DOCUMENT. 1 or PSYCH.RPT (for psychology report) Master files: The master file is a data file containing relatively permanent records that are generally updated periodically. An example of a master file would be the address-label file for all students currently enrolled at your college. Transaction File: The Transaction File is a temporary holding file that holds all changes to be made to the master file: additions, deletions, revisions. Batch processing: In batch processing data is collected over several days or weeks and then processed all at one time, as a batch. Thus if users need to make some request of the system, they must wait until the batch has been processed. Batch processing is less expensive than real time processing and is suitable for work in which immediate answers to queries are not needed. Real-time processing: It records information immediately and responds to user requests at the time transactions occur. FORMS AND ELEMENTS OF SECONDARY STORAGE Tape Diskette Hard disk Optical disk Data storage and retrieva l method s Data compres sion and decompr ession Other forms of secon dary storag e Tape:
On magnetic tape, data is stored using magnetized spots ii sequential fashion. On microcomputers, tapes are used in cartridge tape units. On large computers, tapes are used in magnetic-tape units.
Diskette or floppy disk is a storage medium frequently used with microcomputers. Diskettes are made of a flexible plastic that is coated with a material that is easily magnetized. The disk is enclosed in a protective paper or hard plastic jacket.
Characteristics of diskettes:
Data is recorded in rings called tracks. Each track is divided into eight or nine sectors, which are wedge- shaped sections used for storage reference purposes. Unformatted disks should be formatted. A disks capacity depends on whether it is single or double-sided and on its recording density (single, double or high density) The data on a disk cannot be changed. Hard disk can store more and more data. Hard disk drives can be internal (inside the computer) or external (outside the computer, connected to it by a cable) The disadvantage of hard disk is head-crash. A head crash happens when the read/write heads or particles come into contact with the disk surface. Hard disk for large computer systems come in the following forms.
Removal packs
Fixed disk drives
RAID storage systems Optical storage technologies use a laser beam to pack information densely on a removable disk. The optical storage technology is used with computers consists of four types.
Theses four types are- CD-Rom disk- ROM means read only memory. It is an optical (laser) technology, capable of storing huge amounts of data on a disk. The data is pre-recorded on the disk by the service provider.
CD-R- It is recordable compact disk, allows the user to write data.
WORM- It means write once, read many.
EOD- Erasable optical disk allows the user to write, delete and write again data into it.
CD-ROM formats may be interactive or multimedia. Variants of CD-ROMs are CD-I (I for interactive), CD-TV (television) and MPC (Multimedia Personal Computer). OTHER TYPES OF SECONDARY STORAGE
Flash memory uses circuitry on credit card size cards that can be inserted or connected with computer. Such as pen drive or memory card.
Bubble Memory uses electromagnetic bubbles that move in a circular motion past the equivalent of a read/write head. The presence of a bubble is considered a binary 1, its absence a binary 0.
Micro Modulator Combined Memory IC Mother Board (Functional Sector of Bubble Memory)