CS 1.1.3 Input, Output and Storage Devices

11 flashcards · Computer Science · by TheoTyson

1. What are input devices?

   Used to input data and information onto a computer, in a form that the computer can understand.

2. What are some examples of input devices?

   Barcode readers, webcams, keyboards, magnetic stripe readers.

3. What are output devices?

   Takes data produced by a computer and turn it into data that humans can understand.

4. What are some examples of output devices?

   Speakers, printers, projectors, screens.

5. Optical Disk

   Read from and written to by lasers. Parts of the disc that reflect or scatter the incident laser. Cheap and easy to produce, quite portable. Damaged by sunlight and scratches, cannot store as much data, slower to access data.

6. Solid State Disk (SSD)

   Really light and portable, no moving parts, so are silent, and consume less power. Equal and faster access speeds to all data. More expensive than hard drives, lower capacity, and shorter lifespan.

7. What is secondary storage?

   Not directly connected to processor, and has slower access speeds. Non-volatile (data not lost when turned off).

8. Virtual Storage

   Storing files externally in cloud-based servers. Relies on high speed internet connection in order to access files and create the illusion of locality. Cheaper costs, improved reliability, flexible capacity, but less control.

9. Hard Disk

   Dots on the platter are magnetised on or off, when the disk spins round very fast, the head reads the data. Several platters, more platters, more capacity. High capacity, less portable, slower speeds, cheaper. Not portable, moving parts damaged over time.

10. Random Access Memory (RAM)

    Stores programs and data that are currently being used. Faster speeds than secondary storage, but is more expensive. Data is volatile.

11. Read Only Memory (ROM)

    Holds permanent information that cannot be modified. Can be used to hold the computer's startup instructions and bootstrap.