1.1.3 Input, Output and Storage Flashcards
Input, Output and Storage devices
What is an input device?
Any device which allows you to get information from the outside world into a computer system
Input, Output and Storage devices
Give an example of an input device
Card readers
Keyboards
Microphones
Bar code readers
Cameras
Mice
Input, Output and Storage devices
What is an output device?
Any device which is able to take digitally stored data and convert it into another format which users can process
Input, Output and Storage devices
Give an example of an output device
Speaker
Project
Printer
Headphone
Monitor
Motor
Input, Output and Storage devices
What is a storage device?
Any hardware used for either temporary or permanent storage of data, being internal or external to the computer
Input, Output and Storage devices
Give an example of an internal and an external storage device
Internal:
Magnetic hard drive
RAM
ROM
Solid state drive
External:
DVD
Blu-ray
USB pen
Portable hard drive
SD card
Magnetic, flash and optical storage
Describe how magnetic storage devices work
Stores data using magnetic fields
Uses a series of magnetic disks (platters) which are magnetised
A read-write head moves close to the platter, which then detects and can modify magnetic properties of the platter
Magnetic, flash and optical storage
Describe how optical storage works
Stores data using markers which can be read/written to with an optical laser
A series of pits and lands on the surface of the disk is used to store the binary values
High powered laser can change properties of the disk, a low power laser can read the disk
Magnetic, flash and optical storage
Describe how solid state storage devices work
Stores data directly onto microchips
Uses flash storage, which is similar to RAM
Flash storage is non-volatile, and data is read/written directly to blocks and pages on the microchip
Magnetic, flash and optical storage
Why are the positives and negatives of magnetic storage?
Positives:
Cheap
Large capacity
Negatives:
Slow access time
Fragile, e.g. magnetic fields
Magnetic, flash and optical storage
What are the positives and negatives of optical storage?
Positives:
Cheap
Light weight
Portable
Negatives:
Slow access time
Prone to scratches / damage
Magnetic, flash and optical storage
What are the positives and negatives of solid state storage?
Positives:
Durable
Fast access time
Negatives:
Cost
Limited number of read/writes
