Hardware

Hardware

1. Primary Storage

   • RAM
     • Volatile; Stores/holds currently used/running programs and the data they require.
       • Faster than flash memory, Slower than ROM
         • Data/programs in RAM can be changed eg. Cortana or Edge instead of Chrome
   • ROM
     • Non-volatile; Stores programs/instructions such as the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)
       • Faster than RAM, Slower than cache
         • Programs on ROM cannot be changed
   • Flash Memory
     • Non-volatile; Stores or holds data and programs, or used to expand on how much ROM you have
       • Slowest to access of all the memories/primary storage material
         • Data/programs on flash memory can be changed
   • Cache Memory
     • Volatile; Stores frequently accessed instructions and data
       • Fastest to access of the primary storage materials
         • Data and programs on cache memory can be changed

2. Secondary Storage

   • Magnetic Storage
     • Magnetic HDD
     • Actuator head to Platter - If the positive end of the magnet is pulled towards the platter, we know a negative charge is stored (opposites attract)
     • LARGEST capacity for its cost (cheap per gigabyte)
   • Optical Storage
     • A CD, DVD, BluRay, Mini Disk
     • If the laser takes longer to reflect back, we know that a pit was found (also known as a 0, the opposite is a land and a 1
   • Solid State Storage
     • SSD OR Flash Memory USB stick
     • The electric current passes through the silicon chip (which acts like a switch) - if it's on, it knows to store it as a 1

3. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QU79PLfy6zQVK819JazGUBjGmFZWe3qHY9BDNnifydI/edit?usp=sharing

Images and files in the map