Storage Device
A storage unit is a part of the computer system which is employed to store the information
and instructions to be processed. A storage device is an integral part of the computer
hardware which stores information/data to process the result of any computational work.
Without a storage device, a computer would not be able to run or even boot up. Or in other
words, we can say that a storage device is hardware that is used for storing, porting, or
extracting data files. It can also store information/data both temporarily and permanently.
Computer storage is of two types:
● Primary Storage Devices: It is also known as internal memory and main memory. This
is a section of the CPU that holds program instructions, input data, and intermediate
results. It is generally smaller in size. RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read
Only Memory) are examples of primary storage.
● Secondary Storage Devices: Secondary storage is a memory that is stored external to
the computer. It is mainly used for the permanent and long-term storage of programs and
data. Hard Disk, CD, DVD, Pen/Flash drive, etc, are examples of secondary storage.
Classification of Secondary Storage Devices
1. Sequential Access Storage Device
It is a class of data storage devices that read stored data in a sequence. This is in contrast to random
access memory (RAM), where data can access in any order, and magnetic tape is the common
sequential access storage device.
Magnetic tape: It is a medium for magnetic recording, made of a thin, magnetizable coating on a
long, narrow strip of plastic film. Devices that record and play audio and video using magnetic tape
are tape recorders and videotape recorders. A device that stores computer data on magnetic tape is
known as a tape drive. It was a key technology in early computer development, allowing
A storage unit is a part of the computer system which is employed to store the information
and instructions to be processed. A storage device is an integral part of the computer
hardware which stores information/data to process the result of any computational work.
Without a storage device, a computer would not be able to run or even boot up. Or in other
words, we can say that a storage device is hardware that is used for storing, porting, or
extracting data files. It can also store information/data both temporarily and permanently.
Computer storage is of two types:
● Primary Storage Devices: It is also known as internal memory and main memory. This
is a section of the CPU that holds program instructions, input data, and intermediate
results. It is generally smaller in size. RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read
Only Memory) are examples of primary storage.
● Secondary Storage Devices: Secondary storage is a memory that is stored external to
the computer. It is mainly used for the permanent and long-term storage of programs and
data. Hard Disk, CD, DVD, Pen/Flash drive, etc, are examples of secondary storage.
Classification of Secondary Storage Devices
1. Sequential Access Storage Device
It is a class of data storage devices that read stored data in a sequence. This is in contrast to random
access memory (RAM), where data can access in any order, and magnetic tape is the common
sequential access storage device.
Magnetic tape: It is a medium for magnetic recording, made of a thin, magnetizable coating on a
long, narrow strip of plastic film. Devices that record and play audio and video using magnetic tape
are tape recorders and videotape recorders. A device that stores computer data on magnetic tape is
known as a tape drive. It was a key technology in early computer development, allowing
