Memory and Storage

Primary storage is the same as main memory. It hold data, programs and instructions being run at the time

Random Access Memory is the type of memory used as the computers main memory. Random refers to that it can be written anywhere in the memory space at any time.

The main purpose of RAM is to act temporary storage for programs and data while the the program is being executed

The contents of Read Only Memory cannot be written over once it has been created. It is also non-volatile which means you leave the computer switched off for months and it will still start up as soon as it has power again.

ROM is used to store memory for BIOS/ bootstrap loader which is required at start-up of the computer.

Virtual memory configures HDD, SSD memory to main memory and this works just like main memory but it is a little bit slower.

Secondary Storage is used for long-term saving files. It is non-volatile, holds much more data, is relatively inexpensive, and tends to have slower access speeds.

Magnetic Storage Optical Storage Solid State Storage

Lazers write data to the disk and read data from it. Optical storage devices have moving parts, which makes access times and data transfer speeds relatively slow in comparison with SSDs

CDs DVDs Blu-ray

The are read with a moving head inside the disk drive moving parts make it slow Makes the disk more open to damage They are vulnerable to magnetic fields

Internal Hard disk Portable Hard disk

Have no moving parts, so are unaffected by magnetic fields They are more relaible being less vulnerable to shock and damage considerably lighter faster access times lower power consumption very thin

Internal solid state USB Memory Stick Memory Card

Easy to carry Very cheap

Low amounts of capacity

Long life and reliable High capacity storage Inexpensive Resuable memory

Can be easily damaged Will slow down and eventually break over time Slower accesses than solid state drives

Very large capacity Quite Cheap

USBs could contain malware Very small could be lost