1.2 Memory and Storage

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Total cards: 24•Content version: v4•Public deck•Updated: 8/1/2026

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Front (Question)

What does primary storage consist of?

Back (Answer)

RAM, ROM, registers, and cache

Front (Question)

Why is primary storage needed?

Back (Answer)

1) holds the data and instructions which the CPU needs access to while a computer is running 2) the CPU can access data from primary storage much quicker than secondary storage

Front (Question)

What is RAM?

Back (Answer)

volatile, read and write, large in comparison to ROM

Front (Question)

What does volatile mean?

Back (Answer)

Contents are lost when the power is turned off. Data is temporary and requires power to retain data.

Front (Question)

What does RAM hold?

Back (Answer)

Holds the operating system, programs, and data in use by the CPU when the computer is running.

Front (Question)

What is ROM?

Back (Answer)

non-volatile (contents remain when power is off), read only, small in comparison to RAM

Front (Question)

What does ROM hold?

Back (Answer)

1) Stores the BIOS and instructions needed to boot up the computer. 2) Programs may be stored in ROM in embedded systems.

Front (Question)

Why must ROM be non-volatile?

Back (Answer)

ROM must retain its start-up instructions when the power is off so must be non-volatile

Front (Question)

Where is virtual memory stored and why is it needed?

Back (Answer)

1) Held on the hard disk 2) Needed when there’s not enough physical RAM to store the open programs

#10

Front (Question)

Describe how programs are transferred to and from virtual memory.

Back (Answer)

1) Programs are transferred out to virtual memory from RAM when they are not currently being executed, creating space in RAM for a new program. 2) Programs are transferred back to RAM from virtual memory when they are needed.

#11

Front (Question)

What is secondary storage and why is it needed?

Back (Answer)

1) Long term, non-volatile storage of files and programs 2) Needed because ROM is read only and RAM is volatile

#12

Front (Question)

What is secondary storage used for?

Back (Answer)

Storage of programs and data when the power is off, semi-permanent storage of data that can change, back up and archive of data files

#13

Front (Question)

Examples of optical storage

Back (Answer)

CD, DVD, Blu-ray

#14

Front (Question)

Characteristics of optical storage

Back (Answer)

1) Low capacity 2) Slow to access data 3) Thin, lightweight and portable 4) Prone to scratches

#15

Front (Question)

Examples of magnetic storage

Back (Answer)

HDD (hard disk drive), floppy disk

#16

Front (Question)

Characteristics of magnetic storage

Back (Answer)

1) high storage capacity 2) quick to access data 3) has moving parts which eventually fail 4) hard disks work better if defragmented

#17

Front (Question)

Examples of solid state storage

Back (Answer)

SSD (solid state drive), USB stick, memory card

#18

Front (Question)

Characteristics of solid state storage

Back (Answer)

1) medium storage capacity 2) very quick to access data 3) no moving parts, very reliable 4) no need to defragment 5) limited no. read/write cycles 6) expensive, low power, no noise

#19

Front (Question)

Suitability: reliability

Back (Answer)

worst-solid state, best-magnetic

#20

Front (Question)

Suitability: capacity

Back (Answer)

worst-optical, best-magnetic

#21

Front (Question)

Suitability: cost per MB

Back (Answer)

worst-solid state, best-magnetic

#22

Front (Question)

Suitability: durability

Back (Answer)

worst-magnetic, best-solid state

#23

Front (Question)

Suitability: portability

Back (Answer)

worst-magnetic, best-solid state

#24

Front (Question)

Suitability: read/write speed

Back (Answer)

worst-optical, best-solid state