Software/Hardware

• Backing store: Data and files are stored (measured in GB/TB)
• CPU: Central Processing Unit

  • Control unit, linked to peripheral devices
• Peripheral: Devices you can plug into your computer (e.g., keyboard/mouse)
• RAM (Random Access Memory): Temporarily stores data in your computer
• ROM (Read-Only Memory): Data that you can only see, not edit
• Hard disk: External storage device
• Operating system: Software like Windows that manages computer hardware and software resources
• Application software: Software that can be installed when you want or need it
• Systems software: Software that is automatically coded onto your device
• Secondary storage purpose: Used for backing up data you don’t want to lose that comes from primary storage
• Why memory can't be used for these tasks:

  • Volatile: When it switches off, nothing is saved; uses electricity to work
• Magnetic storage:

  • Examples: Hard disk drives, magnetic tapes
  • Data is engraved into the disk as 1s and 0s
  • Used for storing music, movies, videos
  • Advantages: Cheap, Portable
  • Disadvantages: Slow, Can't hold much data
• Optical storage:

  • Examples: CDs, DVDs
  • Uses low-power laser beams to retrieve digital (binary) data
  • Used for storing movies, games, music
  • Advantages: Durable, High memory storage
  • Disadvantages: Slow, Not portable
• Solid-state disks:

  • Examples: USB flash drives, memory cards
  • Uses a RAM-style chip to store the data
  • Used for storage, games
  • Advantages: Portable, Fast
  • Disadvantages: Expensive
• Cloud storage:

  • Digital data stored on servers in offsite locations
  • Servers maintained by third-party providers responsible for storing data securely
  • Accessible via the internet, requiring a network connection
  • Advantages: Cost savings, ransomware/malware protection
  • Disadvantages: Limitation of control, No access to data if offline, vulnerability to security breaches
• Hard Disk


  A type of non-volatile storage device that stores and retrieves digital information using rapidly rotating disks coated with magnetic material. Typically installed inside a computer or server and used as the primary storage device for the operating system, applications, and data.
• External Storage Device


  Any type of storage device that can be connected to a computer or other device externally, via a cable or wireless connection. Can come in many different forms, including external hard disks, solid-state drives (SSDs), USB flash drives, and memory cards.
• Volatile Storage


  A type of storage that requires power to maintain the stored data. If the power is turned off, any data stored in volatile memory will be lost. Examples include random access memory (RAM) and cache memory.
• systems software


  help run and maintain the computer
• Application software


  Used to carry out tasks on your computer