Data Storage

Data Storage
There are two (2) main types of data Storage:-

1. Primary Storage /Main Memory/Immediate Access Store (IMAS)- resides within the

computer.

2. Secondary Storage – may not reside within the computer.

Jens Martensson 2
Primary Storage/Main Memory/ IMAS
This consists of:-
❖ Random Access Memory (RAM)– holds data and instructions temporarily while
processing takes place. RAM is volatile so that if power is turned off all the information held
in RAM is lost.

❖ Read Only Memory (ROM) – holds data and instructions necessary for starting up the
computer when it is switched on. Information on ROM is permanent and cannot be deleted
or changed.

Jens Martensson 3
Similarities and Differences between RAM and ROM
RAM ROM
Similarities

Both are Chips inside the computer

Both can be randomly accessed

Differences

Data held in RAM can be changed Data held in ROM cannot be changed

Holds data temporarily Holds data permanently

RAM is volatile (loses data when turned off) ROM is non volatile ( does not lose data when
turned off)

Jens Martensson 4
Types of ROM
❖ Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM) – You can program a PROM chip only once

after that it becomes a ROM chip.

❖ Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM) – these are chips that can be

programmed and reprogrammed using special equipment.

Jens Martensson 5
Secondary Storage

Secondary storage is needed to store data and information on a permanent basis for later use. It

includes:-

❖ Floppy Disks – stores small documents and files. Can hold up to 1.44 MB of data.

Jens Martensson 6
❖ Hard Disk – Comes in a variety of sizes but has a high storage capacity.

❖ Zip Drive – Used to back up important data and has a high storage capacity.

Jens Martensson 7
❖ Magnetic Tape – stores a large amount of data and is mainly used for backing up.

❖ USB Drive – Flash drives are portable and comes in a range of storage capacities.

Jens Martensson 8
Optical Disks
Optical disks are disks read by a laser. The main types are:-

❖ CR-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory) – this is a CD which contains information that
cannot be changed.

❖ CD-R ( Compact Disk Recordable) –a blank CD that allows you to record data only once
after which it becomes a CD-ROM.

❖ CD-RW (Compact Disk Rewritable) –allows you to record and erase data multiple times.

❖ DVD (Digitial Versatile Disk) – holds more information than a CD and is usually used for
storing movies.

Jens Martensson 9
Cloud storage

Cloud storage is off-site (online) storage that is maintained by a third party on the Internet,

examples include:

❖ Dropbox

❖ Google Drive

❖ iCloud

Jens Martensson 10
Advantages of Cloud storage

•Accessibility – Users can access data from

anywhere in the world once Internet access is
available.

•Cheaper – The cost of cloud storage is relatively

low.

Jens Martensson 11
Disadvantages of Cloud Storage

• Accessibility – An Internet connection is needed to connect

to cloud storage.

• Data Security – There are concerns about the safety and

privacy of data stored on the Cloud.

Jens Martensson 12
Units of Storage

A bit is the smallest unit of storage in the computer, either a o or a 1.

A byte is made up of 8 bits e.g 01010100. It usually represents a character.

Name Symbol Approximate Number of Bytes

Kilobyte KB 1 Thousand
Megabyte MB 1 Million (1000 KB)
Gigabyte GB 1 Billion (1000 MB)
Terabyte TB 1 Trillion (1000 GB)
Petabyte PB 1 Quadrillion (1000 TB)

Jens Martensson 13
Conversion

Example: Convert 3000 bytes to Kilobytes.

Since 1 Kilobyte = 1000 bytes

3000 bytes = 3000/1000 = 3 kilobytes

Therefore

Since 1 megabyte = 1000 kilobytes

3000 Kilobytes = 3 Megabytes

Jens Martensson 14
Conversion

Example: Convert 10 Kilobytes to Bytes

Since 1 byte = 1000 kilobytes

10 KB = 10 X 1000 = 10 000 bytes.

Calculate:-

1. How many bytes are in 8000 KB

2. How many Megabytes are in 8000 KB

3. How many Gigabytes are in 8000 KB

Jens Martensson 15
REVIEW

1. What are the two main types of data storage?

2. What do the following abbreviations stand for : RAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM?

3. Give one similarity between RAM and ROM.

4. Give one difference between RAM and ROM.

5. What is the difference between a CD-ROM, CD-R and CD-RW?

6. Give an example of cloud storage.

Jens Martensson 16
The End.

Thank You
for watching.