1. What is main store?
This is the memory inside the CPU that is accessed directly. It is
usually made up of RAM chips. Sometimes this memory is called primary
storage. This memory is volatile – meaning that its contents are lost
when the computer loses power.
2. What is backing store?
This is often called secondary storage. It is non-volatile storage that
is used to store information permanently. Hard disks, floppy disks, CD-RWs,
tapes and pen drives are used for backing storage.
3. What is a characteristic of RAM?
This is volatile memory
4. What is a characteristic of ROM?
This is non-volatile memory. The memory usually contains instructions
placed on the ROM chip at the time of manufacture.
5. What is a processor?
A processor is the part of a computer system that carries out
processing. In a microcomputer the processor is a single chip such as an
Intel Pentium IV. In mini computers and mainframes the CPU will be made
up of many processors all working at the same time.
6. What does exchangeable storage mean?
Storage that can be removed from the computer system. For example,
some hard drives can be swapped in and out of a computer system.
7. What is the difference between a hard disk and a floppy disk?
A hard disk is made of metal and is sealed in a metal casing. A hard
disk is made up of three or more disks with individual read write heads
for each surface. Hard disks often have integrated controllers built
into them for fast access to information. Floppy disks are a single thin
low capacity plastic disk that needs to be inserted into a floppy disk
drive before it can be accessed.
8. What is an application suitable for a hard disk?
Any application that requires immediate access and large amounts of
storage is a suitable candidate for hard disk storage. Large CAD
drawings, storage for a large operating system, storage for a large
database and so on.
9. What is an application suitable for a floppy disk?
A floppy disk is useful for small amounts of data. The limit is 1.44
Mb. Storage is not very reliable for long term storage and so it is a
good idea to make copies of the information often. Do not rely on a
floppy disk to store your project!
10. Name three backing store technologies.
(i) Floppy disks (ii) Hard disk drives (iii) tape drives
11. What are two types of CD that are used in computers?
CD-ROMs and CD-RW type compact disks are used in computers.
12. What advantages do CDs have over floppy disks?
CDs have large amounts of storage. They can hold in excess of 650 Mb
of storage. A floppy disk holds only 1.44 Mb of storage. Cd’s are
reliable. As long as they are not scratched they will last a long time.
Floppy disks are more delicate and are easily damaged.
13. What is magnetic tape used for?
Magnetic tape is often used for making backups. This is because high
capacity tape is much cheaper per megabyte than hard disk space. As long
as random access is not a requirement then tape is a good storage
choice.
14. What media would be used for serial access?
Tape is used for serial access because it is the least expensive medium
for storage. Hard disk packs are high capacity like tapes but they are
much more expensive because they are designed so that information can be
accessed randomly.
15. What media could be used for random access?
Hard disks and floppy disks are used for random access. Any part of the
disk can be accessed with little or no delay and without the need to
access records or files in any sort of sequence.
