Storage Devices
Types of Storage Devices
A storage device is a device capable of storing data. The term usually refers to mass storage devices, such as disk and tape drives (www.webopedia.com). In this paper I will explore different types of storage devices and which ones are optimal for different situations. I will also explain what situations are appropriate for the following devices and explain why:
a. Hard disk
b. Floppy disk
c. RAM
d. CD ROM
e. Tape
Hard Disk
A hard disk is a magnetic disk on which you can store computer data. The term hard is used to distinguish if from a soft, or floppy, disk. Hard disks hold more data and are faster than floppy disks. A hard disk, for example, can store anywhere from 10 to more than 100 gigabytes, whereas most floppies have a maximum storage capacity of 14 megabytes (www.webopedoa.com). Nearly every desktop computer and server use today contains one or more hard-disk drives. Every mainframe and supercomputer is normally connected to hundreds of them. You can even find VCR-type devices and camcorders that use hard disks instead of tape. That is because they store changing digital information in a relatively permanent form. They give computers the ability to remember things when the power goes out (www.howstuffworks.com). Applications for hard disk drives include personal video recorders, digital audio players, digital organizers, and digital cameras (en.wikipedia.org)
Floppy Disk
A floppy disk is a soft magnetic disk. Unlike most hard disks, floppy disks are portable, because you can remove them from a disk drive. Floppy disks are slower to access than hard disks and have less storage capacity, but they are much less expensive. (www.webopedia.com). Floppy disks are portable so they can be used to transport data such as reports, presentations, resumes, etc.
RAM
RAM is a type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly, that is, any byte of memory can be accessed without touching the preceding bytes. RAM
A storage device is a device capable of storing data. The term usually refers to mass storage devices, such as disk and tape drives (www.webopedia.com). In this paper I will explore different types of storage devices and which ones are optimal for different situations. I will also explain what situations are appropriate for the following devices and explain why:
a. Hard disk
b. Floppy disk
c. RAM
d. CD ROM
e. Tape
Hard Disk
A hard disk is a magnetic disk on which you can store computer data. The term hard is used to distinguish if from a soft, or floppy, disk. Hard disks hold more data and are faster than floppy disks. A hard disk, for example, can store anywhere from 10 to more than 100 gigabytes, whereas most floppies have a maximum storage capacity of 14 megabytes (www.webopedoa.com). Nearly every desktop computer and server use today contains one or more hard-disk drives. Every mainframe and supercomputer is normally connected to hundreds of them. You can even find VCR-type devices and camcorders that use hard disks instead of tape. That is because they store changing digital information in a relatively permanent form. They give computers the ability to remember things when the power goes out (www.howstuffworks.com). Applications for hard disk drives include personal video recorders, digital audio players, digital organizers, and digital cameras (en.wikipedia.org)
Floppy Disk
A floppy disk is a soft magnetic disk. Unlike most hard disks, floppy disks are portable, because you can remove them from a disk drive. Floppy disks are slower to access than hard disks and have less storage capacity, but they are much less expensive. (www.webopedia.com). Floppy disks are portable so they can be used to transport data such as reports, presentations, resumes, etc.
RAM
RAM is a type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly, that is, any byte of memory can be accessed without touching the preceding bytes. RAM
References: CD-ROM. (2006). Retrieved May 21, 2006, from http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/c/CD_ROM.htm Floppy disk. (2006). Retrieved May 21, 2006, from http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/f/floppy_disk.html Hard disk. (2006). Retrieved May 21, 2006, from http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/h/hard_disk.html Hard disk usage. (2006). Retrieved May 21, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_disk#Hard_disk_usage How disks work. (2006). Retrieved May 21, 2006, from http://computer.howstuffworks.com/hard-disk.htm RAM. (2006). Retrieved May 21, 2006, from http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/R/RAM.html Tape. (2006). Retrieved May 21, 2006, from http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/c/CD_ROM.htm