Since there are different types of storage: primary, tertiary, secondary, off-line, and network, it is important to understand the characteristics and functions of each because they deal with the general operation of your computer. Here is some basic information on computer storage and storage vocabulary that will help you make the right decision when purchasing the most appropriate, as well as beneficial, computer storage system for your computer.

Storage Features:

Volatile Memory-it is necessary to have continuous power in order to store information; used most with primary storage. Non-Volatile Memory-stored information will still be saved even if there isn’t continuous electric power; used commonly with secondary, tertiary, and off-line storage because of its ability to store data for longer periods of time. Dynamic Memory-another type of volatile memory. With this type of computer data storage, it is necessary to occasionally refresh or reread information without making changes.

Computer Storage Performance and Capacity:

Storage Capacity-each computer storage system has a certain amount of space to hold data. This computer storage space is most commonly referred to as “bits” or “bytes” (megabytes) and is what allows you to save and store information within your computer. Storage Density-the amount of information that can be stored based on the size (how many mega bytes) of your computer storage device. Latency-this is the amount of time the computer takes to retrieve stored information from the storage system. Depending on the type of storage you have in your computer determines how quickly information is retrieved through the system; primary storage works within nanoseconds, secondary storage works within milliseconds, and tertiary storage works within seconds. Throughput-how long it takes the computer’s storage system to read information. This is measured in terms of megabytes per second (MB/s).

Characteristics of a Computer Storage Device:

Read/Write Storage, Mutable Storage: enables stored information to be changed at any time; computers usually use read/write storage with primary and secondary storage. Read Only Storage-preserves and accesses information that the computer was programmed with during its manufacturing. Write Once Storage (WORM)-permits data to be written once after it has been manufactured. Immutable Storage-both the read only and write once computer data storage systems are examples of immutable storage; used with tertiary and off-line storage. Slow Write, Fast Read Storage-a type of read/write computer storage that enables data to be altered several times; the fast read process is much quicker than the slow write process.

Computers are complex programs that require a basic knowledge and understanding of their operations in order to achieve the most success and satisfaction out of both the technology and the user. Hopefully this general overview of computer storage functions and characteristics will help you become more knowledgeable and aware of your pc, as well as how to choose the right computer storage system for your computer.