What are storage device

ICT Long #1
Mr.Sultan
Storage devices
• A storage unit is a part of the computer system which is employed to store
the information and instructions to be processed. A storage device is an
integral part of the computer hardware which stores information/data to
process the result of any computational work. Without a storage device, a
computer would not be able to run or even boot up. Or in other words, we
can say that a storage device is hardware that is used for storing, porting, or
extracting data files. It can also store information/data both temporarily and
permanently.
Computer storage is of two types:
• Primary Storage Devices: It is also known as internal memory and main
memory. This is a section of the CPU that holds program instructions, input
data, and intermediate results. It is generally smaller in size. RAM (Random
Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory) are examples of primary
storage.
• Secondary Storage Devices: Secondary storage is a memory that is stored
external to the computer. It is mainly used for the permanent and long-term
storage of programs and data. Hard Disk, CD, DVD, Pen/Flash drive, SSD,
etc, are examples of secondary storage.
. Primary storage devices
• RAM: It stands for Random Access Memory. It is used to store information that is used
immediately or we can say that it is a temporary memory. Computers bring the software
installed on a hard disk to RAM to process it and to be used by the user. Once, the computer is
turned off, the data is deleted. With the help of RAM, computers can perform multiple tasks
like loading applications, browsing the web, editing a spreadsheet, experiencing the newest
game, etc
• ROM: It stands for Read-Only Memory. The data written or stored in these devices are non-
volatile, i.e, once the data is stored in the memory cannot be modified or deleted. The
memory from which will only read but cannot write it. This type of memory is non-volatile.
The information is stored permanently during manufacture only once. ROM stores
instructions that are used to start a computer. This operation is referred to as bootstrap. It is
also used in other electronic items like washers and microwaves. ROM chips can only store
few megabytes (MB) of data, which ranges between 4 and 8 MB per ROM chip.
Floppy Disk: It is also known as a floppy diskette. It is generally used on a personal
computer to store data externally. A Floppy disk is made up of a plastic cartridge
and secures with a protective case. Nowadays floppy disk is replaced by new and
effective storage devices like USB, etc.
Hard Disk: It is a storage device (HDD) that stores and retrieves data using
magnetic storage. It is a non-volatile storage device that can be modified or
deleted n number of times without any problem. Most of the computers and
laptops have HDDs as their secondary storage device. It is actually a set of stacked
disks, just like phonograph records. In every hard disk, the data is recorded
electromagnetically in the concentric circles or we can say track present on the
hard disk, and with the help of a head just like a phonograph arm(but fixed in a
position) to read the information present on the track. The read-write speed of
HDDs is not so fast but decent. It ranges from a few GBs to a few and more TB.
Flash memory Devices
• SD Card: It is known as a Secure Digital Card. It is generally used with
electronic devices like phones, digital cameras, etc. to store larger data. It is
portable and the size of the SD card is also small so that it can easily fit into
electronic devices. It is available in different sizes like 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, etc.
• Memory Card: It is generally used in digital cameras. printers, game consoles,
etc. It is also used to store large amounts of data and is available in different
sizes. To run a memory card on a computer you require a separate memory
card reader.
• Multimedia Card: It is also known as MMC. It is an integrated circuit that is
generally used in-car radios, digital cameras, etc. It is an external device to
store data/information.
Optical Storage Devices
• CD: It is known as Compact Disc. It contains tracks and sectors on its surface
to store data. It is made up of polycarbonate plastic and is circular in shape.
CD can store data up to 700MB. It is of two types:

• CD-R: It stands for Compact Disc read-only. In this type of CD, once the data
is written can not be erased. It is read-only.
• CD-RW: It stands for Compact Disc read Write. In this type of CD, you can
easily write or erase data multiple times.
Optical Storage Devices

• DVD: It is known as Digital Versatile Disc. DVDs are circular flat optical discs used to
store data. It comes in two different sizes one is 4.7GB single-layer discs and another
one is 8.5GB double-layer discs. DVDs look like CDs but the storage capacity of DVDs is
more than as compared to CDs. It is of two types:

• DVD-R: It stands for Digital Versatile Disc read-only. In this type of DVD, once the data
is written can not be erased. It is read-only. It is generally used to write movies, etc.
• DVD-RW: It stands for Digital Versatile Disc read Write. In this type of DVD, you can
easily write or erase data multiple times.