(2024) Memory, Storage and processing

Question 1

What is storage

Answer 1

• holds porgrams+data far more permanently
• Magnetic (hard drive), optical (CD, DVD) or electronic (flash drives+SSD)
• Slow, works mechanically
• keeps contents even when computer is switched off (non volatile)

Question 2

What is memory

Answer 2

• holds the data and instructions that the computer is using whilst it is on and working
• electronic
• fast to access
• needs power to keep its contents (volatile)

Question 3

What is RAM?

Answer 3

• Random Access Memory
  (measured in Gigabytes GB, speed measured in Mega hertz/giga hertz)

Question 4

List some characteristics of RAM

Answer 4

• Volatile, meaning it loses its contents when the power is turned off.
• RAM is used to store data that the CPU needs to access quickly.
• It allows for both reading and writing of data.
• More RAM generally means better performance, especially for multitasking.

Question 5

What is ROM?

Answer 5

• Read Only Memory
• Holds the programs that control the basic hardware of the computer

Question 6

List some characteristics of ROM

Answer 6

• Non-volatile, meaning it retains data even when the power is off.
• ROM typically stores firmware or software that rarely changes.
• Less costly than the RAM.
• It is easy to test the ROM.
• Generally slower than RAM but faster than a hard drive.
• Data in ROM is “read-only” and not easily modified.

Question 7

What is Cache?

Answer 7

• High speed RAM, placed between CPU and RAM
• Can be accessed faster than RAM
• Used to enhance the performance of frequently or often accessed data.
• Very small capacity

Question 8

Define HDD

Answer 8

Hard Disk Drive
- Non-volatile
- Magnetic storage device
- Internal HDD’s plug into motherboard
- Needs to be fragmented
- Has moving parts
- Slow
- Cheap
- Large capacity

Question 9

Define SSD

Answer 9

Solid-state drive
- Non-volatile
- Electrical storage
- Internal SSD’s plug into motherboard
- No moving parts
- Fast
- Expensive
- Limited Capacity

Question 10

Define DVD

Answer 10

Digital Versatile Disc OR Digital Video Disc
- Optical
- Slower than HDD/SSD.

Question 11

What is the CPU, and what are cores?

Answer 11

Central Processing Unit - The brain of the computer, processes instructions

Core: a single processing unit within the CPU that can execute instructions
- Multiple cores enable multitasking

Question 12

Difference between online storage and cloud computing:

Answer 12

Online storage - only involves storing files online

Cloud computing - actual programs run on a server on the internet, and you access them through your web browser

Question 13

List popular backup strategies

Answer 13

• Flash drives
• Portable hard drives
• online backup servces

*NOTE
it must be easy to make a backup, and to restore the data from the backup

Question 14

What is formatting

Answer 14

• preparing a disk to store data
• now and then, you may need to reformat a disk

Question 15

What is disk scanning and disk fragmentation?

Answer 15

• Utility software
• Fixes problems on hard drives, SSD’s and flash drives by running a disk scanner
• Checks a drive for erros and bad sectors
• Files get scattered on a disk–slows down computer
• Defragmentation– a utility that puts the parts of files back together again–SPEEDS UP COMPUTER