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1.2.2 Secondary Storage

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Total cards: 23•Content version: v4•Public deck•Updated: 8/1/2026

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#1
Front (Question)

Secondary storage

Back (Answer)

It is non-volatile storage - where all the data (OS, applications and user files) are stored when processor is not in use.

#2
Front (Question)

Why do you need secondary storage?

Back (Answer)

Because ROM is read only and RAM is volatile.

#3
Front (Question)

What is secondary storage needed for?

Back (Answer)

-Storage of programs and data when power is turned off -Semi-permanent storage of data that can be changed -Backup of data files -Archive of data files

#4
Front (Question)

What are the common types of secondary storage?

Back (Answer)

-Optical storage -Magnetic storage -Solid state

#5
Front (Question)

Examples of optical storage:

Back (Answer)

-CD-R/RW -DVD-R/RW -Blu-ray

#6
Front (Question)

Examples of magnetic storage

Back (Answer)

-Hard disk drive -Tape

#7
Front (Question)

What is solid state storage?

Back (Answer)

A type of non-volatile media that uses electronic circuits to store binary 0s and 1s.

#8
Front (Question)

What is magnetic storage?

Back (Answer)

A type of non-volatile media that uses magnets (polarity) to store binary 0s and 1s.

#9
Front (Question)

What is optical storage?

Back (Answer)

A type of non-volatile media that uses lasers to burn the surface of a disk, creating pits and lands suitable for storing binary 0s and 1s.

#10
Front (Question)

Examples of solid state

Back (Answer)

-SSD -Memory sticks -Flash memory cards -USB flash drive

#11
Front (Question)

What are the advantages of HDDs compared to SSDs?

Back (Answer)

-They are cheaper -HDDs have higher capacity than SSDs -Have a longer read/write life than SSDs (SSDs can only be written a certain number of times before they begin to deteriorate)

#12
Front (Question)

What are the advantages of SSDs compared to HDDs?

Back (Answer)

-They are faster -They don’t need defragmenting -SDDs are more shock proof than HDDs -HDDs make more noise, SDDs are silent

#13
Front (Question)

What three forms does optical storage come in?

Back (Answer)

-read-only (e.g. CD-ROM) -write-once (e.g. CD-R) -rewritable (e.g. CD-RW)

#14
Front (Question)

Why are optical discs declining?

Back (Answer)

DVD-Rs and DVD-RWs used to be popular for backing up data, but they have low capacity per disc, very slow read/write speeds and poor reliability compared to flash storage devices.

#15
Front (Question)

Advantages of solid state:

Back (Answer)

-Capacity - Medium/high storage -Speed - Very fast read/write access -Durability - No moving parts -Portability - Small and no moving parts -Noise - Silent

#16
Front (Question)

Disadvantages of solid state:

Back (Answer)

-Reliability - Limited read/write cycles -Cost - Very high per gigabyte

#17
Front (Question)

Advantages of optical storage?

Back (Answer)

-Cost: They are very cheap (per GB). -Portability: Small and no moving parts -Durability: Won’t be damaged by water or shocks, no moving parts. -Noise: Silent

#18
Front (Question)

Disadvantages of optical storage?

Back (Answer)

-Speed: Slow read/write speed -Reliability/Durability: Not durable/reliable as discs are very fragile and can break or scratch easily

#19
Front (Question)

Advantages of Magnetic storage:

Back (Answer)

-Capacity - High storage -Cost - Low per gigabyte -Speed - Moderate read/write access

#20
Front (Question)

Disadvantages of Magnetic storage:

Back (Answer)

-Portability - Heavy & bulky making them less convenient for transport -Durability - Moving parts can get damaged if dropped -Reliability - Prone to mechanical failure -Noise - Loud (spinning disks)

#21
Front (Question)

Average read/write speed from slowest to fastest:

Back (Answer)

Optical disc -> Memory Card -> Magnetic Tape -> HDD -> SSD

#22
Front (Question)

Average cost from cheapest to most expensive:

Back (Answer)

Magnetic Tape -> Optical disc -> HDD -> Memory Card -> SSD

#23
Front (Question)

Average capacity from lowest to highest:

Back (Answer)

Optical disc -> Memory Card -> SSD -> HDD -> Memory Tape