Storage Concepts
Personal computers have two types of storage:
- Primary (or temporary) storage holds data only while the computer is using the data. For example, if you're woking on a document, the data is held in primary storage until the document is saved. RAM is an example of primary storage. When your computer loses power, all information in primary storage is lost.
- Secondary storage holds data permanently (or until you delete it). When you turn on your computer, all the software and files you have saved are still available to you. Secondary storage holds data permanently, even when the computer is turned off.
There are a wide variety of secondary storage options. You are probably familiar with floppy disks and Zip disks. Hard disks are the main means of secondary storage for a personal computer. These drives can be internal (built into the computer case) or external (removable drive which plugs into a port on the back of the computer). Hard disks are faster and offer more space than other storage devices.
