← Computer Studies / 1 Foundation of Computer Science
1.4 Computer storage
Computer Studies · Grade 10 · 6 lessons in the design
What you will be able to do
- distinguish between primary and secondary storage
- describe the characteristics of different storage devices
- convert between units of storage capacity
- select a suitable storage device for a given task
Key questions
“Where does a computer keep your work when you switch it off?”
Lessons
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Primary and secondary storage
40 min · 2 practice tasks · quizWhy a computer has two kinds of memory, and what happens when the power goes.
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Measuring storage capacity
40 min · 2 practice tasks · quizBits, bytes and the units above them, and how to convert between them.
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Types of RAM and ROM
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizDRAM against SRAM, the ROM family from masked ROM to flash, and why a computer needs both kinds of primary storage.
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Magnetic and optical storage
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizHow a hard disk stores bits on spinning platters, how tape is used for backup, and how CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs are read by a laser.
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Solid-state and cloud storage
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizFlash memory in SSDs, USB drives, cards and phones, compared with cloud storage that still lives on someone else's disks.
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Selecting storage and backing up
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizHow to match a device to a job using capacity, speed, portability, durability and cost, and how to keep data through power cuts, theft and fire.