Secondary Storage

Introduction

Secondary storage, also known as auxiliary storage, refers to non-volatile storage devices that store data and programs outside of the primary memory (RAM).

Types of Secondary Storage

• Hard Disk Drives (HDDs):
  • Use spinning disks and magnetic heads to store data.
  • High storage capacity, but can be slow and prone to mechanical failure.
• Solid-State Drives (SSDs):
  • Use flash memory to store data.
  • Faster access times, lower power consumption, and more durable than HDDs.
• Flash Drives:
  • Small, portable devices that use flash memory.
  • Used for transferring files between computers.
• Optical Disks:
  • Use lasers to read and write data.
  • Examples include CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs.

Characteristics

• Non-volatile: retains data even when power is turned off.
• High capacity: can store large amounts of data.
• Slower access: access times are generally slower than primary memory.

Importance

• Data storage: secondary storage provides a place to store large amounts of data and programs.
• Data backup: secondary storage devices can be used to back up important data.
• Portability: some secondary storage devices, such as flash drives, are portable and can be used to transfer data between computers.