Computer system

Key components

Storage devices are used
to store program and data (Secondary Storage)

Memory allows the computer to store data it is using and processing (Primary) RAM- Random Access Memory

RAM is a volatile memory as
it can only store data temporarily.
Will disappear once power is off

Read-only-Memory (ROM)
Contains instructions to start the computer

Cache memory
Stores data the computers uses frequently
Faster than RAM

Data Units

File compression

Bit: Smallest unit of fata in a computer

Process of reducing the size of one or more files

Byte: Made up of eight bits

Kilobyte KB: 1,000 bytes

Megabyte: 1 MB 1,000 kB

Gigabyte GB: 1000MB

Terabyte TB: 1,000 GB

Petabyte: 1 PB 1,000 TB

Freeing up storage space

Ease of file transfer, as only a single compressed file

SD Card

Solid State Drive (SSD)

Thumb Drive

Secondary storage is non-volatile and permanent storage

Hard disk

Larger capacity and less expensive

Can be internal and external

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