Teach Computer

Science

Data storage

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Revision notes

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Introduction
Random access memory and read-only memory were explained
in detail in the previous topic. We learnt how CPU access RAM
for programs and data that are currently in use. The contents of
RAM are lost when power is switched off. ROM is used for
storing a pre-programmed set of instructions such as boot
process. The contents of ROM remained intact even when power
is switched off. The user now needs a storage device to store
media and other files that require large space. This problem is
solved by storage devices that work based on magnetic, optical
and solid-state principles. In this article, these storage devices
are explained in detail.

Hard disk drives

Hard disk drives also called as magnetic disk drives are used in
computers and laptops. It provides high storage capacity and is
cost-effective. Large storage facilities also use this technology.
In a computer, it stores the operating system, installed
programs and user’s data. External hard disks are available to
store data that are not frequently used or to back-up important
information.
The disk is made of a magnetic surface, which is known as a
platter. Digital data is stored in these magnetic platters. This
disk can spin at a speed of about 7000 revolutions per minute.
Data can be accessed by a number of read-write heads on the
surface. The read-write heads move from the centre of the disk
to the edge of the disk (and back again) 50 times a second. The
data is read/written using magnetic properties. The disk is
divided into various sectors and tracks. Each sector in a track
can store a specific number of bytes. The following figure shows
the different parts of the hard disk.

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 Figure 1: Parts of a hard
disk
The access time of a hard disk drive is high compared to RAM.
This is due to a large number of head movements. Latency is
defined as the time taken for a specific block of data to rotate
around to the read-write head. The effect of latency becomes
significant when a user receives messages such as ‘not
responding’ and ‘please wait’.

Solid-state drives
The latency is reduced in SSD compared to HDD as the data is
no read/write head that needs to be moved. Data is stored and
retrieved using the electronic properties in NAND chips. In the
previous article, we discussed flash memory. This type of
memory is used in USB devices to transfer information from one
device to another. This is a type of solid-state device. Solid-state
drives are a larger version of flash memory.
Digital data is stored in millions of transistors within the chip.
SSD is a non-volatile rewritable memory. These are used in
portable devices such as tablets and mobile phones.

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 Hard disk drives Solid state drives

Use magnetic properties to Uses electronic properties of

read/ write data NAND/ NOR chips
Heat is produced due to No moving parts so it runs
movement of read-write cooler
heads moving to fetch data
Heavy Lighter and used in tablets

More power consumption Lower power consumption

compared to SSD
Noise due to a spinning disc Silent as no moving parts

Less reliable as the moving Highly reliable as no moving

parts could break parts
HDD can be used for a long SSD has limited read-write
time. Widely used in servers operations for a limited
where huge numbers of period of time. For example:
operations take place every 20 GB write operations in 3
day. years. Hence, cannot be
used in servers

A computer system has various applications with different

requirements. Some applications need faster access time. SSD
can improve the access time but it is expensive when compared
to HDD. Therefore, a combination of both is provided in a
system. Applications that require high performance are loaded
into SSD and those that are not frequently used are stored in
HDD.

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Optical Storage Systems
CD, DVD and Blu-ray discs use optics to store data. The surface
of CDs and DVDs are made of light-sensitive organic dyes or
metal alloys. Data is read and written using laser light. DVDs
(4.7GB) can store large amounts of data compared to CDs (800
MB). Blu-ray discs use blue laser light and can hold up to 50 GB.
These optical storage systems are used to store music, movies
and games.
The layers of CD-RW are shown in the figure below. The clear
plastic layer on the surface allows the laser light to pass through
it. The colour changes in the dye layer when light falls on it. This
change in colour is reflected and is detected by the computer
while the data is read.

Figure 2: Layers of CD-

RW

There are two types of optical devices: read-only and read/write.

In read-only media, the data can be written only once at the
manufacturing stage. For example: programs, movies and songs
distributed by its producers. Read/ write optical devices are used
as external storage devices to transfer data from one device to
another.
Even though the time taken to transfer data in these devices is
comparatively higher than flash memory, these devices are
widely used for transferring large files such as back-ups and
programs due to its robust nature and cost-effectiveness.

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Calculating the required
capacity
A user has to consider the size, number and types of files while
deciding the storage device. A text file occupies only a few
kilobytes of space but a video occupies up to several gigabytes.
Some examples of file sizes are given in the table below.

File type Approximate size

A page of processed word

100 KB
document without images

Photograph (postcard-size) 6 MB

MP3 music track (3

6 MB
minutes)
MPEG video (1 minute) 50 MB

DVD film 4 GB

Blu-ray film 20-25 GB

Example 1: Estimate the total size of the following files and

choose a suitable storage device.
a) 10 minutes of music at 10 MB/min
b) 7 minutes of video at 50 MB/min
c) 8 photographs at 6 MB/photo

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 File File size

10 minutes of music 100 MB

7 minutes of video 350 MB

8 photographs 48 MB

Total file size 498 MB

extra 10 % space for
49.8 MB
overheads
Total space required 547.8 MB

The total space required is 547.8 MB and this would fit into a CD.
This could also be transferred from one device to another using a
flash drive.

Choosing storage device

The various parameters considered for choosing a storage
device are:
a) Capacity: The total space required for all the files and
overheads needs to be calculated and according to this
required capacity, the storage device has to be selected.
b) Speed: The data transfer rate for each storage device is
given in the table below. According to the user’s
requirements, the device can be selected.
Storage device Transfer rate
RAM 12-20 GB/s

SSD 200-550 MB/s

Magnetic hard disk 50-120 MB/s
Blu-ray disc 72 MB/s
USB flash drive 45-90 MB/s
DVD 1.32 MB/s
CD 0.146 MB/s
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c) Portability: For data that needs to portable, it is important to
choose a device with less weight and size. In case the data is
to be distributed, the cost of the device is to be considered
too. For example: Film, music and software.
d) Durability: It is also important to look at the robustness of the
storage device to make sure that the data is protected from
external damage. Some applications require devices to
operate under extreme conditions.
e) Reliability: Storage devices must enable us to operate it
many times without causing errors or failure.

Types of memory access

Memory can be accessed directly or sequentially, as illustrated
in the following figure.

Figure 3: Types of memory

access
Direct memory access, also called random access, any storage
location can be accessed at any moment such as a DVD.
Sequential memory access allows the user to access data one
by one in a sequence. Hence, sequential memory access is
slower than direct memory access. For example: film reel or
videotape.

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Activities

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Activity-1
Duration: 10 minutes

1. Estimate the total size of following files and choose a

suitable storage device.
a) 5 minutes of music at 10 MB/min
b) 8 minutes of video at 50 MB/min
c) 12 photographs at 6 MB/photo

File File size

5 minutes of music

8 minutes of video

12 photographs

Total file size

Space for overheads

Total space required

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Activity-2
Duration: 15 minutes

1. Complete the table below with application of each storage

device.

Storage device Application

Hard dish drive

Solid state drive

Flash drive

CD-ROM
(CD-Read only)

DVD-ROM

CD-RW

Blu-ray disc

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End of topic
questions

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End of topic questions
1. Why do computers need storage devices apart from primary
memory and ROM?
2. What is the principle behind the functioning of hard disk
drives?
3. What are solid state drives? What are its advantages over
hard disk drives?
4. What are the different discs available to a user in optical
storage systems? What is the memory available within each
type?
5. How is data read from a CD-RW?
6. Why do people use flash drives for basic file transfers rather
than a CD?
7. What are the various parameters considered when choosing
a storage device?
8. How is accessing memory in DVDs different from videotapes?

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