Storage Devices

STORAGE DEVICE
Definition
A storage device can be defined as any piece of hardware whose main function is to store data and information
The hardware that writes data to or reads data from a storage medium is called a storage device.
Types of Computer Storage Devices
Computer storage devices can be classified into o Primary storage o Secondary storage o Tertiary storage

Primary Computer Storage Devices
Primary storage refers to the computer's memory(RAM)
RAM (Random Access Memory)
 It connects directly to the computer's CPU.
 It is a volatile form of storage.
 Volatile storage means that you totally lose data when you switch the system off.
Secondary Computer Storage Devices
 These storage devices are external in nature and non-volatile as compared to primary storage devices.
 These storage devices do not lose data even when they are turned off.
 These storage devices are not attached to the computer's CPU, it takes a longer time for the CPU to access them.
 These devices need to be formatted before they can store data
Examples of secondary storage devices include CD and DVD, flash memory, floppy disks etc
Tertiary Computer Storage Devices
 Its main use is for storing data at a very large-scale.
 These devices require a database to organize the data that are stored in them, and the Example :tape libraries.
SECONDARY STORAGE DEVICES
 It is also called auxiliary storage or external storage or backing storage.
 The devices of computer that store information such as software and data permanently are called secondary storage device .
 It is all data storage that is not currently in a computer's primary storage or memory.
 Types of secondary storage devices are magnetic disk, Hard disk ,floppy disk , CD Rom , magnetic tape etc...

Characteristics of Secondary storage devices

1. Non-volatile

 It will retain the stored information even if it is not constantly supplied with electric power.