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Computer Data Storage
domingo, 09 de septiembre de 2012
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1 GB of SDRAM mounted in a personal computer . An example of primary storage.

40 GB PATA hard disk drive (HDD); when connected to a computer it serves as secondary storage.

160 GB SDLT tape cartridge, an example of off-line storage. When used within a robotic tape library , it is classified
a s tertiarystorage instead.
Computer data storage , often calledstorage or memory, is a technology consisting of computer components
a nd recording media used to retain digital data . It is a core function and fundamental component of computers.
In contemporary usage, memory is usually semiconductor storage read-write random-access memory,
typically DRAM (Dynamic -RAM) or other forms of fast but temporary storage. Storage consists of storage devices
a ndtheir media not directly accessible by the CPU, (secondary or tertiary storage), typically hard disk
drives , optical disc drives, and other devices slower than RAM but are non-volatile (retaining contents when
powered down).[1]Historically, memory has been called core, main memory, real storage or internal memory while
s torage devices have been referred to as secondary storage, externalmemory or auxiliary/peripheral storage .
The distinctions are fundamental to the architecture of computers. The distinctions also reflect an important and
s ignificant technical difference between memory and mass storage devices, which has been blurred by the
historical usage of the term storage. Nevertheless, this article uses the traditional nomenclature.
Many different forms of storage, based onvarious natural phenomena, have been invented. So far, no practical
universal storage medium exists, and all forms of storage have some drawbacks. Therefore a computer system
usually contains several kinds of storage, each with an individual purpose.
A modern digital computer represents data using the binary numeral system. Text, numbers, pictures, audio, and

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Amodern digital computer represents data using the binary numeral system. Text, numbers, pictures, audio, and
nearly any other form of information can be converted into a string of bits , or binary digits, each of which has a
value of 1 or 0. The most common unit of storage is the byte, equal to 8 bits. A piece of information can be
handled by any computer or device whose storage space is largeenough to accommodate the binary
representation of the piece of information , or simply data . For example, the complete works of Shakespeare, about
1250 pages in print, can be stored in about five megabytes (forty million bits) with one byte per character.
The defining component of a computer is the central processing unit (CPU, or simply processor), because it
operates on data, performscomputations, and controls other components. In the most commonly used computer
a rchitecture, the CPU consists of two main parts: Control Unit and Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU). The former controls
the flow of data between the CPU and memory; the latter performs arithmetic and logical operations on data.
Without a significant amount of memory, a computer would merely be able to perform fixed operationsand
i mmediately output the result. It would have to be reconfigured to change its behavior. This is acceptable for
devices such as desk calculators, digital signal processors, and other specialised devices. Von Neumann machines
differ in having a memory in which they store their operating instructions and data. Such computers are more
versatile in that they do not need to have their...