Glossary: Data Storage

Boot process A set of instructions that is executed once the computer is switched ON.

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A small memory part located closer to CPU when compared to RAM to
Cache
temporarily hold data and instructions that CPU is likely to use frequently.

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An electronic component that stores electric energy in the form of electric
Capacitor

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charges and creates a potential difference.

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Central processing unit CPU consists of a control unit, ALU and cache memory. It is responsible for
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(CPU) the processing of the instructions given to a computer.
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Dynamic Random Access Memory. A type of RAM, made of transistors and

DRAM
capacitors, and has to be constantly refreshed.
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Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory. A type of ROM that

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EEPROM
can be easily updated by a programmer.
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Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory. A type of ROM whose

EPROM
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contents can be erased by ultra-violet light.

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A type of ROM that can be programmed by applying a slightly larger

Flash ROM
electric current.
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Latency The time taken by components to respond to a request.

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 Memory Part of CPU where data and programs are stored

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A type of memory that keeps its contents safe even when power is
Non-volatile memory
switched off.

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Primary memory A type of memory that is accessed directly by CPU.

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Programmable Read-Only Memory. A type of ROM that is manufactured

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PROM
as blank ROM and is used by programmers.

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Random Access Memory. A temporary memory which stores data, files
RAM
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and parts of the operating system that are currently in use.

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Register High-speed data storage areas in the computer.

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Read Only Memory. A permanent memory that is used to store the

ROM
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instructions that are executed once the computer is switched ON.

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Static Random Access Memory. A type of RAM, made of ‘flip-flops’ and

SRAM
need not be constantly refreshed.
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The process by which the OS transfers data between RAM and virtual
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Swapping (or paging)

memory.

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 A semiconductor device that acts as binary switch. It is the fundamental
Transistor
building block of computer circuitry.

A section of hard drive allocated for storing temporary data when the
Virtual memory
capacity of RAM is not enough.

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A type of memory whose contents are erased when power is switched

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Volatile memory
off.

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Differences between HDD and SSD

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Hard disk drives Solid state drives

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Use magnetic properties to read/ write data Uses electronic properties of NAND/ NOR chips

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Heat is produced due to movement of
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read-write heads moving to fetch data
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Heavy Lighter and used in tablets

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More power consumption compared to SSD Lower power consumption

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Noise due to a spinning disc Silent as no moving parts

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Less reliable as the moving parts could go Highly reliable as no moving parts
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break
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HDD can be used for a long time. Widely SSD has limited read-write operations for a limited
used in servers where huge numbers of period of time. For example: 20 GB write operations
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operations take place every day. in 3 years. Hence, cannot be used in servers
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HDDs can store up to 5TB SDDs can store up to 512 GB

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Computer Science
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Computer Science
with Muntasir Mahmud
muntasir3m@gmail.com