Edexcel GCSE Computer Science 2020
3.1.2: understand the role of secondary storage and the ways in which data is stored on devices (magnetic, optical, solid state)
3.1.2: understand the role of secondary storage and the ways in which data is stored on devices (magnetic, optical, solid state)
| Keyword | Definition |
|---|---|
| magnetic storage | type of non volatile secondary storage which can read/write binary data using a sensor/actuator that passes over sections of spinning platters which can be polarised to represent 0s and 1s |
| non volatile | type of storage that does not require a power supply to retain data. Data can only be read or written with a power supply but no data is lost when power is switched off |
| optical storage | type of non volatile secondary storage which can read and sometimes write binary data by shining a laser which reflects off pits and lands on a removable spinning disc into a sensor |
| primary storage | fast volatile storage (RAM) |
| secondary storage | non volatile storage which is larger but slower than RAM |
| solid state storage | type of non volatile secondary storage which uses flash memory to store 0s and 1s with no moving parts |
| volatile | type of storage that requires a power supply to store data. When power is switched off, all data is lost |
