Data Storage in Computers
👉 Data and Information
👉 Data Storage Units
👉 Types of Memory
👉 Secondary Storage Devices
👉 Main Differences between RAM and ROM
A computer is a very useful machine. But it cannot work on its own. We need to enter certain set of characters and instructions into the computer to make it work.
Data and Information
Whenever we work on a computer we provide it with certain set of characters and some information. This set of characters like alphabets, digits or special characters that represent facts or figures is known as data. When this data is processed by the processing unit i.e. CPU, it is known as information.
Therefore, we can say Data is unorganized facts and figures and processed data is known as Information.
Data Storage Units
Storage devices are an essential part of the computer system. They can be used to store the data internally as well as externally. You must know that computer understands the language of Os and is only. It is known as Binary language. The computer converts our instructions in the form of the digits – 0 and 1. The size of a computer's memory is normally measured in kilobytes (KB), megabytes (MB), or gigabytes (GB). The smallest unit of computer memory is called a 'bit'. The unit of measuring memory of a computer is called a byte. One byte is made up of eight bits. Half a byte consists of four bits and is also known as a nibble. Kilobytes and megabytes are higher units of measuring memory.
With increasing bit capacity, the storage capacity of the computer increases.
Memory Size
4 bits ＝ 1 nibble
8 bits ＝ 1 byte
1024 bytes ＝ 1 kilobyte (KB)
1024 KB ＝1 megabyte (MB)
1024 MB ＝1 gigabyte (GB)
1024 GB ＝1 terabyte (TB)
1024 (TB) ＝ 1 petabyte (PB)
1024 (PB) ＝ 1 exabyte (EB)
1024 (EB) ＝ 1 zettabyte (ZB)
1024 (ZB) ＝ 1 yottabyte (YB)
Currently, Terabyte is the largest unit of data storage. Keep in Mind
The unit 'bit' is denoted by lowercase 'b', and the unit 'byte’ is denoted by uppercase 'B'. To write 8 bits, we use lowercase i.e. 8 b while 256 megabytes is written as 256 MB.
Computer needs memory to store information. The storage capacity of a computer is called its memory. Memory enables the computer to store data and information.
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