Glossary: Data Storage

Boot process A set of instructions that is executed once the computer is switched ON.

ud
m
A small memory part located closer to CPU when compared to RAM to
Cache
temporarily hold data and instructions that CPU is likely to use frequently.

ah
rM
An electronic component that stores electric energy in the form of electric
Capacitor

si
charges and creates a potential difference.

ta
un
Central processing unit CPU consists of a control unit, ALU and cache memory. It is responsible for
M
(CPU) the processing of the instructions given to a computer.
ith
w

Dynamic Random Access Memory. A type of RAM, made of transistors and

DRAM
capacitors, and has to be constantly refreshed.
ce
en

Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory. A type of ROM that

ci

EEPROM
can be easily updated by a programmer.
rS
te

Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory. A type of ROM whose

EPROM
pu

contents can be erased by ultra-violet light.

om

A type of ROM that can be programmed by applying a slightly larger

Flash ROM
electric current.
C

Latency The time taken by components to respond to a request.

Computer Science
with Muntasir Mahmud
[email protected]
 Memory Part of CPU where data and programs are stored

ud
A type of memory that keeps its contents safe even when power is
Non-volatile memory
switched off.

m
ah
Primary memory A type of memory that is accessed directly by CPU.

rM
si
Programmable Read-Only Memory. A type of ROM that is manufactured

ta
PROM
as blank ROM and is used by programmers.

un
M
Random Access Memory. A temporary memory which stores data, files
RAM
ith

and parts of the operating system that are currently in use.

w
ce

Register High-speed data storage areas in the computer.

en
ci

Read Only Memory. A permanent memory that is used to store the

ROM
rS

instructions that are executed once the computer is switched ON.

te
pu

Static Random Access Memory. A type of RAM, made of ‘flip-flops’ and

SRAM
need not be constantly refreshed.
om

The process by which the OS transfers data between RAM and virtual
C

Swapping (or paging)

memory.

Computer Science
with Muntasir Mahmud
[email protected]
 A semiconductor device that acts as binary switch. It is the fundamental
Transistor
building block of computer circuitry.

A section of hard drive allocated for storing temporary data when the
Virtual memory
capacity of RAM is not enough.

ud
A type of memory whose contents are erased when power is switched

m
Volatile memory
off.

ah
rM
Differences between HDD and SSD

si
Hard disk drives Solid state drives

ta
Use magnetic properties to read/ write data Uses electronic properties of NAND/ NOR chips

un
Heat is produced due to movement of
M No moving parts so it runs cooler
read-write heads moving to fetch data
ith

Heavy Lighter and used in tablets

w

More power consumption compared to SSD Lower power consumption

ce

Noise due to a spinning disc Silent as no moving parts

en

Less reliable as the moving parts could go Highly reliable as no moving parts
ci

break
rS

HDD can be used for a long time. Widely SSD has limited read-write operations for a limited
used in servers where huge numbers of period of time. For example: 20 GB write operations
te

operations take place every day. in 3 years. Hence, cannot be used in servers
pu

HDDs can store up to 5TB SDDs can store up to 512 GB

om
C

Computer Science
with Muntasir Mahmud
[email protected]
 ud
m
ah
rM
si
ta
un
M
ith
w
ce
en
ci
rS
te
pu
om
C

Computer Science
with Muntasir Mahmud
[email protected]