Data Storage
Data storage essentially means that files and documents
are recorded digitally and saved in a storage system for
future use.
Data storage makes it easy to back up files for
safekeeping and quick recovery in the event of an
unexpected computing crash or cyberattack.
Data Storage
Storage systems may rely on electromagnetic, optical or
other media to preserve and restore the data if needed.
Data storage can occur on physical hard drives, disk
drives, USB drives or virtually in the cloud.
What is Computer Memory?
Computer memory is a data storage technology that is
capable of storing or saving data, temporarily or
permanently.
The data stored are in a binary form such as 0 and 1 as
well, allowing the user to save and retrieve the
information anytime they require it.
Basic Units of Data Storage
Computer Memory is measured in bytes. A single byte is
made up of 1’s and 0’s, which are individually known as
BInary digiTs or Bits. So The basic and the smallest unit
of computer memory is called bit.
As we know that computer internally represents its data in the
form of binary zeros and ones, these bits are the primary
sources of such representation.
Basic Units of Data Storage
A bit may have two possible states i.e. 0 or 1. 0 is used for
circuit off where as 1 is used for circuit on. Thus a single
bit may have two possible representations of data 0 and 1.
For example, the number 10010111 is 8 bits long, or in most
cases, one modern PC byte. Binary digits are a basic unit
of information storage and communication in digital
computing and digital information theory.
Basic Units of Data Storage
Nibble
One nibble is the combination of 4 bits. It can have 16
possible representations of data as 24 = 16.
An example is the hexadecimal number system, which is
composed of numbers from 0 i.e. 0000 to F i.e. 1111.
Basic Units of Data Storage
Byte
A byte may be defined as “ the memory required to store a
single alphanumeric character of data”.
Here alphanumeric character may be any digit from
0,1,2,3,…..,9 or an alphabet from a to z or A to Z or any
other special symbol like , : / ? + - * etc.
Basic Units of Data Storage
A byte is a combination of 8 bits or 2 nibbles.
As a single bit can have 21 = 2 possible representations i.e. 0
and 1, therefore a byte (a combination of 8 bits) can have
28 = 256 possible representations of data in the form of 0s
and 1s.
Basic Units of Data Storage
Some commercial units of data storage that are composed of
bytes are:
Kilobyte: A kilobyte (abbreviated K or KB) is equivalent to
1024 bytes. 210 bytes.
Megabyte: A megabyte (abbreviated M or MB) is about 1
million bytes. 220 bytes.
Gigabyte: A gigabyte (G or GB) is about I billion bytes.
230 bytes.
Main categories of computer
memory
When we’re talking about computer memory, there are also
two major categories:
Primary Memory and Secondary Memory.
Primary Memory
Primary Memory is a section of computer memory that
the CPU can access directly.
Primary Memory has a faster access time than secondary
memory and is faster than cache memory in a memory
hierarchy.
Primary Memory, on average, has a storage capacity that
is lower than secondary memory but higher than cache
memory.
Primary Memory
Main memory contains only those programs, data or
information that is required by CPU for current execution.
It occupies the central position in memory hierarchy as it
is able to communicate directly to both CPU and
secondary memory through I/O processor.
Example of main memory
Given below are example of primary memory:
RAM - Random Access Memory
ROM - Read Only Memory
Primary memory is made by electronic semiconductor devices.
It directly communicates with the CPU of the computer.
It is also needed by the system itself at the time of processing.
Primary memory is faster as compared to secondary memory.
It is very costly as compared to secondary memory.
Types of primary memory (RAM,
ROM, Cache)
In a computer system memory is a physical device, that is
used to store, retain, acquire and retrieve data and
information. Primary memory used to store data only in a
execution time.
It stores all types of data like raw data (given input by the
user), intermediate results and final results are stored in
memory. It may be or may not be store data permanently.
Random Access Memory (RAM)
RAM
RAM (Random Access Memory), contains one or
multiple memory modules that store data temporarily.
It is also called volatile memory because data get erased
when the computer is turned off. It holds data and
instruction frequently during processing. When we are
launching the software, then it is loaded into RAM.
Why it is called RAM?
It randomly select any location of memory to store and
retrieve data.
What is RAM used for?
Random Access Memory (RAM) is the most important
component in the computer system, for determining a
system’s performance. It gives uses a place to store and
retrieve data on short-term basis.
Random Access Memory (RAM)
We can read from it and also can write there. So this
memory is read and writes memory.
There are two main types of RAM:
Static RAM and Dynamic RAM.
Differences
SRAM DRAM
It is based on transistor technology. It is based on capacitor technology.
It is expensive. It is cheaper.
It not require refreshing. It require refreshing.
It is faster in action. It is slower in action.
It has low storage capacity. It has high storage capacity.
It is consumes more power. It is consumes less power.
It has low storage density. It has high storage density.
Read Only Memory (ROM)
It is non-volatile memory.
It is permanent memory.
Instructions and information are stored by the
manufacturer in this memory.
Functions of ROM
Initiates the loading of operating system.
It performs a ‘RAM Test’ to ensure working of the
available RAM.
Reports back on all the ports, the ROM has encountered
in the computer.
Checks the default output device.
Checks the default input device.
Types of ROM
PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory)
EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory)
EEROM (Electrically Erasable Read Only Memory)
EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read
Only Memory)
Data storage devices
To store data, regardless of form, users need storage
devices. Data storage devices come in two main
categories: direct area storage and network-based storage.
Direct area storage, also known as direct-attached
storage (DAS), is as the name implies. This storage is
often in the immediate area and directly connected to the
computing machine accessing it. Often, it's the only
machine connected to it. DAS can provide decent local
backup services, too, but sharing is limited. DAS devices
include floppy disks, optical discs—compact discs (CDs)
and digital video discs (DVDs)—hard disk drives (HDD),
flash drives and solid-state drives (SSD).
Network-based storage allows more than one computer
to access it through a network, making it better for data
