Types of Storage Devices
Storage Types
Magnetic storage
Optical storage
Magnetic Storage
Most common
Floppy disk
stores data on removable 3.5-inch-diameter diskettes.
Typical Capacity 1.4MB
Zip Disk
stores data on floppy-disk cartridges with 70-170 times the capacity of the standard floppy
`Hard disk drive
Storage device that stores billions of characters of data on a non-removable disk platter.
Capacity 40GB-750GB or even more in TBs
Optical Storage
CD (Compact Disk) drive
a storage device that uses laser technology to read data from optical disks.
700MB for CD
DVD
4.7 to 17 GB
Blu Ray
optical disc storage
high-definition video and data storage.
same physical dimensions as standard DVDs and CDs.
120 mm in diameter and
1.2 mm thick
More storage capacity
25 – 50 GB (single and double layer
100 – 128 GB (triple and quad layer
Storage Capacity
1 byte – 1 character of data.
1 kilobyte – 210 bytes/char; 1,024 characters.
1 megabyte – 220 bytes/char 1,048,576 characters.
1 gigabyte – more than 1 billion characters.
1 terabyte – more than 1 trillion characters.
Put all the hardware together and…
Power
What is Left? Power
Inside system cabinet
Software Runs The Machine
Tells the computer what to do
Reason people purchase computers
Two types
- system software
- Application software
System Software
Most important software
controls the computer’s hardware
Operating system
- tells the computer how to use its own components.
- Windows XP
Network operating system (OS)
- allows computers to communicate and share data across a network
- Windows Server 2003
Utility
- makes the computer system easier to use or performs highly specialized functions.
- Norton Utilities
Application Software
Accomplishes a specific task
Most common type of software
- Word processors
- Spreadsheet
- Database Management
- Presentation
- Graphics
- Multimedia authoring
- Entertainment and Education
- Games
- Web Design tools and web browsers
Computer data
Fact with no meaning on its own
Stored using the binary number system
Data can be organized into files
- A file is simply a set of data that has been given a name.
- A file that the user can open and use is often called a document.
Computer Users
- User’s Role depends on ability
- Setup the system
- Install software
- Running the Programs
- Manage files
- Maintain the system
Userless Computers
Run with no user input
Automated systems
- A car’s on board computer
- Home appliances
- Washers and dryers
- Security systems
- Navigation systems
Typically controlled by their own operating systems
Summary
Parts of the Computer System
Hardware, Software, Data, People
Information Processing Cycle
Input, Processing, Output, Storage
Computer Hardware
Processor, Memory, Motherboard
Input Devices Output devices
Storage Devices
Computer Software
Computer Users