Secondary Memory: Secondary Memory is used to store data and information permanently. It is non-volatile memory. It is also called Auxiliary storage and internal storage. It is used to store data permanently for the future. Its storage capacity is larger than primary storage memory. It is not directly accessible to the CPU like Primary Memory. It is slower than primary memory. It is slower because it is not directly accessing the CPU. The size of secondary memory is wider. Secondary memory is both fixed and removable.
Uses Of Secondary Memory:
Following are the uses of Secondary Memory are as :
- Permanently storage: Secondary Memory is used to store data permanently. It is used to store data for future use. With the help of this memory if the computer files corrupt or destroyed due to other reasons or spoil due to other reasons we can access the data from the secondary memory storage devices.
- Stores large amounts of data: Secondary Memory stores a large amount of data. It holds more data than the primary memory. It can store the data in Gb or TB for future uses.
- Portable or Removable: This type of storage device can be removed from the computer whenever needed. These types of devices are portable that can be taken from one place to another place.
- Useful for Sharing information: This type of memory is used for sharing information from one device to another device. With the help of this type of device, the data and information can be transferred or shared within seconds.
Secondary Memory is of two types namely:
Fixed Memory Device: This type of device is also called an Internal storage device. This device is fixed during the time of manufacturing of the computer. This type of memory is fixed and cannot be portable like other portable devices. E.g Hard disk drive
Removable Memory Device: This type of device is not fixed while the manufacturing of the computer. These types of devices are portable and can be inserted at any time as per the requirement. These types of devices can be removed from one system to another system. E.g Pen drive, Memory cards, etc.
Magnetic Memory: Magnetic memory is a permanent storage device that is used to store data and information permanently through the magnetic material. Magnetic memory is used in Magnetic disks such as Hard disk drives and tape(Cassette) drives.
Hard Disk Drive: Hard Disk drive is a fixed secondary storage device. The hard disk drive is a magnetic disk where the user can store a large amount of data in the computer. Hard disk memory is a read-and-write memory, permanent memory non-volatile memory.
The hard disk drive includes read, write head, tracks, sectors, and clusters. A magnetic tape that is used to record large amounts of data in the concentric circle on the surface of the platter is called the track. The paller is called Formatting(arrangement of data or organization of data)It stores near about 1 TB of data. It is the internal memory of the computer system.
Magnetic Tape: Magnetic tape is also a removable storage device. This is also used to store data permanently. Magnetic tape is used to store data sequentially. It is also called sequential access medium where the user can access the data in sequence. If the user wants to access the data he cannot access the data directly.
Storage of data in the magnetic tape is similar to the cassette tape that we used to store, record, and store music. This magnetic tape reel is made up of pollsters. It can reuse, modify, add, and delete the data and can add new data after the deletion of the old data. Magnetic tape is used for reading and writing the data.
Floppy Disk: Floppy Disk is a removable storage device. This type of device can be attached and removed at any time from the computer. It is a removable disk. This is very less used nowadays in the computer system. Nowadays it is replaced with CDs, DVDs, etc. It is stored in an envelope to protect it from dust. It is slower to access data as compared to a hard disk. Its capacity for storing the data is less as compared to the hard disk. It is the external memory of the system. Floppy disk sizes.
- 3.5-inch Floppy: This floppy is enclosed in a rigid envelope for its protection. Its size is 3.5 inches floppy.
- 5 1/4 Inch Floppy: This floppy is the most common that is used in PCs.
- 8-inch Floppy: 8-inch floppy is the first size of the floppy disk. This size is not used in Pc or laptops.
Optical Memory: It is the disc drive that uses laser light for reading or writing information from the optical disc. There are so many optical memories that are used in day-to-day life.
CD-ROM: Optical disc is capable of storing data of about 1 GB. The data stored in CD-ROM cannot be cleared or erased once designed or written. It cannot be modified like magnetic tape. For reading and writing data there is used of laser beams. A CD drive is needed for accessing CD ROM data. CD writer is needed to write data. This memory is also called WORM ( work once read many). It is possible to read data many times but modification is not possible once designed. It supports large software applications including colors, graphics, video, audio, etc.
CD-RW: CD-RW stands for compact disk rewritable. It is also an optical disc. It is erasable. Data can be erasable and recorded numerous times. This memory can be recorded and altered at any time.
DVD: DVD stands for Digital Versatile Disc. It is similar to CD but can store much more data than others. It has a higher storage capacity. It can store 4.7 GB to 17 GB.
CD-R: CD-R stands for Compact Disc Recordable. This memory is used for recording or updating only once. It cannot be modified again and again.
BRD: BRD stands for Blue Ray Disc. It is used to store data from 25 GB to 128 GB.
HVD: HVD stands for Holographic Versatile Disc. This memory is used to store data in Tera Byte. It can store 3.9 TB to 6 TB.
Flash Memory: Flash memory is permanent memory. Flash memory is also called RAM. It allows electronic storage of data. It is non-volatile electrically erased and reprogrammed. This memory is used to store data permanently and it is non-volatile memory. It is also a portable memory device that can be carried easily from one place to another place. It is used in Digital Cameras, Mobile Phones, MPS players, and Video Games also. Example of Flash memory is pen drives and Memory cards.
Pen Drive: Pen drive is also an example of EEPROM. It is a removable storage device. It looks like a small key ring. It is used standard USB connections. It is used to store and share data from one device to another device. The storage capacity of the pen drive is 64 GB-256 GB. It is also called a Flash drive.
SD cards: SD cards stands for Secure Digital Card. SD cards are used to store data permanently in mobile phones and cameras. It is a very popular flash memory card. It is nonvolatile flash memory.
Virtual Memory: Virtual memory is not a physical memory. It is used to extend the size of RAM. That is why it is called extended RAM. Virtual memory is not physical memory. This memory section is available on Hard Disk Drive.
SSD(Solid State Drive): It is used to store data permanently. It stores the data inside the circuits typically using flash memory. It is a data storage device that is used an integrated circuit, store the data permanently as a Hard disk drive store. The speed of accessing data is faster than Hard Disk Drive.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. One million Byte is equal to?
Ans: 1 MegaByte
Q. What is the difference between primary memory and secondary memory?
Ans: Primary memory is used to store data temporarily basis whereas secondary memory is used to store data permanently. Secondary storage devices are used to store data for future use.
Q. What is the full form of HVD?
Ans: HVD stands for Holographic Versatile Device.
Q. What is the full form of BB in memory?
Ans: BB stands for Bronto Byte in memory.
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Conclusion:
I hope you have learned something new about secondary storage devices. Secondary Memory is used to store data permanently. It can be affected whenever the lights are off or the system is off. Its data cannot be erased when the system gets off. This memory is used to store data for future use. Secondary storage memory comes in different sizes that store the data as per the size of the device.
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