a) Different types of storage devices are optimal for different situations. Explain what situations are appropriate for the following devices and explain why:
Hard disk
Floppy disk
RAM
CD ROM
Tape
b) Explain the role of each of the following in determining the speed of a computer:
RAM
Clock speed
Data on hard disk
Data on CD ROM
Data on floppy disk
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http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=computer+storage+devices
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=what+determines+computer+speed&revid=1146056162&sa=X&oi=revisions_inline&resnum=0&ct=broad-revision&cd=6
a) Different types of storage devices are optimal for different situations due to their varying characteristics:
1. Hard Disk: Hard disks are suited for situations that require large storage capacity, such as storing operating systems, software applications, and personal files. Their high capacity, fast data access times, and ability to retain data even when the computer is powered off make them ideal for tasks that involve large amounts of data and frequent read/write operations.
2. Floppy Disk: Floppy disks are largely outdated and have limited storage capacity. They were primarily used for portable storage and transferring small files between computers in the past. Today, their use is limited, mainly for booting legacy systems or accessing older files that are only available on floppy disks.
3. RAM (Random Access Memory): RAM is a type of volatile memory that provides fast access to data required by the computer's CPU. It is suitable for situations that require quick access to frequently used data or running multiple applications simultaneously. RAM enables faster processing and reduces the need for the CPU to rely heavily on slower storage devices like hard disks.
4. CD-ROM: CD-ROMs are optical storage devices that are appropriate for distributing software, multimedia content, or files that do not require frequent modification. They are read-only, making them useful for situations where the content needs to be distributed to multiple users without the risk of modification or deletion.
5. Tape: Tape storage devices are primarily used for long-term backup and archival purposes due to their high storage capacity and low cost per terabyte. They are suitable for situations where data needs to be stored for extended periods and accessed infrequently. Tapes provide an economical solution for storing large volumes of data with the trade-off of slower access times compared to other storage devices.
b) The role of each component in determining the speed of a computer:
1. RAM: RAM plays a crucial role in determining the speed of a computer as it provides fast access to data required by the CPU. More RAM allows for a larger amount of data to be stored in memory, reducing the need for the computer to retrieve data from slower storage devices such as hard disks.
2. Clock Speed: The clock speed, measured in GHz, determines how fast the computer's CPU can execute instructions. A higher clock speed means that the CPU can process instructions at a faster rate. However, it's important to note that clock speed alone does not provide a complete picture of a computer's performance, as other factors like the CPU architecture, number of cores, and cache size also contribute to overall speed.
3. Data on Hard Disk: The speed of data access on a hard disk can significantly impact a computer's performance. Faster hard drives with higher rotational speeds (measured in RPM) and lower access times allow for quicker retrieval of data. Additionally, solid-state drives (SSDs) can provide even faster data access speeds compared to traditional mechanical hard drives due to their lack of moving parts.
4. Data on CD-ROM: CD-ROMs have relatively slow data access speeds compared to other storage devices. Accessing data from a CD-ROM can be slower due to the physical nature of the optical disc and the read speed of the CD-ROM drive. As a result, computers may experience delays when accessing data from a CD-ROM.
5. Data on Floppy Disk: Similar to CD-ROMs, floppy disks also have slow data access speeds due to their physical nature and limited storage capacity. Floppy disks are considered obsolete in modern computing due to their low speed and small storage capacity.
It's important to note that the overall speed of a computer is influenced by a combination of various factors, including the CPU, memory, storage devices, and software optimization.