Storage Devices

Data storage devices that are used to store data, instructions,

and information for future use in computers. The commonly
used storage devices are Flash drives, hard disk, CD, DVD
etc...

Types Of
Storage
Devices

Primary Secondary
Storage Storage
Devices Devices

Hard Compact Blu-Ray Flash

RAM ROM DVD
Disks Discs Discs Drive

Types Of Storage Devices:

Primary Storage Devices:
1. RAM
• Random Access Memory is a type of internal memory
that stores the data temporarily
that the computer is currently
using or processing. RAM is a
volatile memory, which means
that the data stored in it is lost
when the power is turned off
• RAM is typically used to store
the operating system, applications programs and data
that the computer is currently using.

Types Of RAMS:
I. DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory): This is
made up of capacitors and has less data life span i.e.,
the data is lost when the power supply is removed. It
needs to be refreshed periodically.

II. SRAM (Static Random Access Memory): This is a type

of semiconductor which is widely used in computing
devices and microprocessors. But it loses data when the
power is turned off.
III. SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access
Memory): It uses a synchronous interface to transmit
large amounts of data at high speed. This improves the
efficiency of a computer.

IV. DDR (Double Data Rate Memory): It is majorly used in

Intel Pentium 4 systems. It requires less power and has
speed which is double than that of an SDRAM.

2. ROM (Read Only Memory): Read Only Memory

(ROM) is a type of computer memory that is used to
permanently store data that does not need to be
modified. ROM is non-volatile memory, which means
that the data stored in it is
retained even when the
power is turned off. ROM is
typically used to store the
computer’s BIOS (basic
input/output system), which
contains the instructions for
booting the computer, as
well as firmware for other hardware devices.

Types Of ROM:
I. PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory): The data
stored in the memory can be programmed by the user
 using a special device known PROM programmer. It
provides a faster and less expensive approach for
storing data.

II. EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory):

This type of memory can be reprogrammed. To erase
data from it, expose it to ultraviolet light. To reprogram
it, erase all the previous data stored in the memory.

III. EEPROM (Electronically Erasable Programmable Read

Only Memory): The data can be erased by applying an
electric field, with no need for ultraviolet light. We can
erase only portions of the chip.

IV. Flash Memory: It is a special type of EEPROM which

maintains the stored information even without a power
supply. The contents can be erased and reprogrammed
into big sections making it faster. Majorly used in
memory cards, mobile phones etc.

Secondary Storage Devices:

1. Hard Disks and External Hard Disks

• The most common storage device for storing a large
amount of data

• Also known as Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

• It was introduced by an IBM lead by Rey Johnson in
the year 1954
• It is made up of collection of disks known as platters.
• Each platter requires 2
read/write heads, one for
each side and are attached to
the actuator arm.
• Each platter has the same
number of tracks to store
data.
• An integral number of sectors are recorded around a
track
• A sector is the unit of data transfer
to or from the disk
• A cylinder is a track location that
cuts across all platters and has the
following properties:
• It is hard and inflexible due to a
coating of magnetic material
• It has large storage capacity. It can store up to 8GB of
data.
• The disk rotates at
very high speed,
varying from 5400 to
15,000 rotations per
minute.

• Nowadays, external hard disks are also used to store

data. These are small as well as portable. They are
generally used to take backup of the data.
 2. Compact disks
• Compact disks are portable storage medium that can
record, store and play back audio, video and other data in
digital form
• Their storage capacity can vary from 650 MB to 1 GB
• A standard compact disc measures 4.7 inches, or 120
millimeters (mm), across, is 1.2 mm thick, weighs between
15 grams and 20 grams.
• They can be classified into 3 types:
CD-
ROM
Compact
CD-R
Disks
CD-RW
• CD-ROM:
• Stands for Compact Disc-
Read Only Memory
• Read Only Memory means
the disk cannot change the
prerecorded information.

• CD-R

• These discs can only write once, but

can read data over and over again.

• CD-RW

• These discs allow us to erase the

previously recorded data

• It allows us to write new data multiple

times.

3. DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)

• Changed the name from Digital Video Disc to
Digital Versatile Disc.
• They are similar to CD’s but can store 6
times more data than it.
• The data transmission rate is 15 time faster
when compared to a CD
• Can hold data ranging from 4.7 GB to 17 GB
• It can also be classified into 3 types:
DVD-R: Can record data only one
time
DVD-RW: You can record and erase
data multiple times.
They have two additional formats +
and –

4. Blu Ray Disc

• Blu Ray Disc is a new
compact disk format that is
rapidly replacing a DVD.
This format was developed
to enable recording,
rewriting and playback of
high-definition video
• While current optical disc
technologies such as DVD,
DVD±R, DVD±RW, and
DVD-RAM rely on a red
laser to read and write data,
the new format uses a blue-violet laser instead, hence
the name Blu-ray. Despite the different type of lasers
used, Blu-ray products can easily be made backwards
compatible with CDs and DVDs through the use of a
BD/DVD/CD compatible optical pickup unit. The
benefit of using a blue-violet laser (405nm) is that it has
a shorter wavelength than a red laser (650nm), which
makes it possible to focus the laser spot with even
greater precision.

• Advantages and Disadvantages of Blu – Ray Disc

 5. Flash Drive
• It is a small and portable flash memory data storage
devices, mainly used for transferring audio, video, files
and data from the hard drive of one computer to
another. It is removable and rewritable.
• Flash drives are often referred to as pen
drives, thumb drives, or jump drives. The
terms USB drive and solid-state drive
(SSD) are also sometimes used but most of the time
those refer to larger, not-so-mobile USB-based storage
devices like external hard drives.
• On most computers, you'll be alerted that the flash
drive was inserted and the contents of the drive will
appear on the screen, similar to how other drives on
your computer appear when you browse for files.
 • It consists of a small PCB which
contains the circuit elements
and a USB connector that is
electrically insulated and
protected inside the plastic.

Software
It is a collection of programs and procedures that instructs a
computer about how to perform the different types of tasks.

Application
System Software
Software
• Operating • General Purpose
System Application
• Utility Software Software
• Language • Special Purpose
Processors Application
Software

System Software:
System software is defined as a collection of programs that
control the overall operations and internal working of
computer system. They can be classified into three types:
a. Operating System
b. Utility Software
c. Language Processors

1. Operating System:
• Operating systems are the
most important type of
system software. An
operating system is a
software that controls how
your hardware works,
which means it manages
the computer's memory,
processes, and all of its software and hardware.

• Every operating system has certain advantages and

disadvantages, ranging from simple to complex. For
example, Windows 10 is very similar to Windows 8.1
but with some significant improvements. In addition,
you can install additional software programs and add-
ons to enhance your experience.
2. Utility Software

• Utilities are programs that help maintain and optimize

a computer's performance.

• Examples of utility programs

include file managers, virus
scanners, and disk
defragmenters.

• Utility programs are usually bundled with the

operating system or can be downloaded from the
internet.

I. Network Utility: Network Utility checks the network

utility checks the network connectivity and
configuration of network devices. It also examines the
network speed and performance.

II. File Manager: File Manager utility helps the user to

perform various operations on files, such as viewing,
editing, copying, and deleting.

III. Disk Management: Disk management utility enables a

user to view and manage the disk drives installed in a
computer

IV. Scanning: The act of examining the computer system,

drives or files for possible virus or malware attack is
 known as scanning. Scanning is done by using
Antivirus Utility.

V. Backup: This is a process of storing of a copy of data

in another storage devices so that it can be recovered
and restored.

VI. Compression: It is a process that shrink files so that

less disk space is occupied. The files
that are bigger in size need to be
compressed while sending an email
attachment. The files cannot be read
directly. These need to extracted.
Example – WinZip, PkZip, 7-Zip

3. Language Processors

• Programming translators are the software that

converts high-level language into machine
language. A computer can only understand
the machine language or binary bits
pattern, either 0 or 1. A CPU understands
this machine language that is not easy
to understand by a normal human.
Hence, First, the end-user interacts
with the computer in a high-level
language like Java, Python, C, PHP,
 and C++, etc., then the translator converts these
languages into machine code.

• Language translators are of mainly three types:

Assembler, Compiler and Interpreter.

• An assembler is used to convert programs written in

assembly language to the machine language. A
compiler is also a type of system software used to
convert high-level programming languages into
executable machine codes or low-level programming
languages. Similar to a compiler, an Interpreter is also
used to perform the same function. But the only
difference is that compiler translates the whole
program at once while the interpreter converts each
line individually.

Application Software:

Application software (App) is a kind of software

that performs specific functions for the end
user by interacting directly with it. The sole
purpose of application software is to aid the
user in doing specified tasks.

Web browsers like Firefox, and Google

Chrome, as well as Microsoft Word and Excel,
are examples of application software that is used on
a personal computer or laptop.
Application Software can be classified into two types:

a. General Purpose Application Software

b. Special Purpose Application Software
1. General Purpose Application Software:

General application software is designed to perform a

wide range of fundamental functions that a user needs
to perform on a system. There are numerous
applications that fall under this category. Some of the
commonly used application software include:

• Word Processing Software – MS Word, OpenOffice

Writer

• Multimedia Software – Gaming Software, Windows

Media Player
• Graphics Software – Adobe Photoshop, AutoCAD,
Dreamweaver
• Education and Reference Software – Microsoft
Teams, Google Classroom
• Spreadsheet Software – Google Spreadsheets, MS -
Excel
• Simulation Software – PCB Software
• Presentation Software – MS PowerPoint, Impress
• Web Browsers – Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge
2. Special Purpose Application Software: The software
which is designed to meet the specific needs of any user
is called Special Purpose Application Software
E.g.: Tally, Busy