Computer Data Storage Notes:

Also called storage or memory

Contemporary usage, memory usually refers to a form of

semiconductor storage aka random access memory.

Text, numbers, pictures, audio, any other form of information

can be converted into a string of bits or binary digits.

Most common unit of storage is a byte equal to 8 bits.

CPU operates on data, performs any calculations, and controls

all the other components.

Primary storage
Presently known as memory, is the only one directly accessible to
the CPU.

Early computers used delay lines, Williams tubes or rotating magnetic

drums as primary storage.

By 1954 these unreliable methods were mostly replaced by magnetic

core memory

All this led to RAM (random access memory)

But the particular types of RAM used for primary storage were also
volatile (losing the in formation when not powered)

Processor registers
Are located inside the processor.

Each register typically holds a word of data (often 32 or 64 bits)

Processor cache
An intermediate stage between ultra-fast registers and much slower
main memory

Most actively used information in the main memory is duplicated in

the cache memory, which is faster, but of much lesser capacity.
Main memory is directly or indirectly connected to the CPU via a
memory bus, some times referred to as font side bus.
Actually comprised of two buses, an address bus and a data bus

The CPU first sends a number through an address bus, a number called
memory address, that indicates the desired location of the data.

Then it reads or writes the data itself using the data bus.

Memory Management Unit (MMU) is a small device between CPU and

RAM re calculating the actual memory address.
Which makes virtual memory or other tasks
Secondary Storage
Or storage in popular usage

Differs from primary storage in that it is not directly accessible by the

CPU.

Secondary storage does not lose the data when the device is
powered down, it is non- volatile.

Hard disks are used as secondary storage

Secondary storages are: flash memory, floppy disks, magnetic tape,

paper tape, punch cards, standalone ram disks, and zip drives.

Flash memory, are high in density, low cost, nonvolatile, fast and
reprogrammable.

EPROM (erasable-and-programmable ROM) is programmed in exactly

the same manner as a PROM

Notes continued
Volatility
Non-volatile memory will retain the stored information even if it is not
constantly supplied with electric power

It is suitable for long term storage of information

Volatile memory requires constant power to maintain the stored
information.