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OCR GCSE Computer Science > 1.2 Memory and Storage > Flashcards

1.2 Memory and Storage Flashcards

(55 cards)

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1
Q

The need for primary storage

A

To hold data, programs and instructions that are currently in use.

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2
Q

Types of Primary Storage

A

RAM
ROM

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3
Q

RAM

A

Random Access Memory

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4
Q

ROM

A

Read Only Memory

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5
Q

The difference between RAM and ROM

A
  • ROM is read-only, RAM can be read from and written to.
  • RAM is volatile, ROM is non-volatile
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6
Q

Purpose of RAM

A

RAM is used to hold the operating system and any open documents and programs that are Running At the Moment.

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7
Q

Purpose of ROM

A

ROM stores instructions and data that are needed for the computer to run, such as BIOS program.

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8
Q

Virtual Memory

A

Virtual Memory is the use of secondary storage as additional primary memory.

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9
Q

The need for Virtual Memory

A

Allows data in RAM that isn’t currently being used to be transferred to the hard disk to free up space.

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10
Q

Cache

A

Cache is a type of high-speed RAM that is used to temporarily hold frequently used instructions.

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11
Q

The need for Secondary Storage

A
  • Storage of programs and data when the power is turned off.
  • Semi-permanent storage of data that can change.
  • Backup of data files.
  • Archive of data files.
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12
Q

Types of Secondary Storage

A
  • Optical
  • Magnetic
  • Solid State
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13
Q

Advantages of Optical

A
  • Cheap
  • Portable
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14
Q

Disadvantages of Optical

A
  • Slow write speed
  • Not durable
  • Low storage
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15
Q

Examples of Optical

A

CD, DVD, Blu-Ray

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16
Q

Advantages of Magnetic

A
  • Cheap
  • Durable
  • High storage
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17
Q

Disadvantages of Magnetic

A
  • Slow write speed
  • Not portable
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18
Q

Examples of Magnetic

A

Hard drive, tape drive, floppy disk.

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19
Q

Advantages of Solid State

A
  • Portable
  • Durable
  • High storage
  • Fast write speed
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20
Q

Disadvantages of Solid State

A
  • Expensive
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21
Q

Examples of Solid State

A

USB drive, SD card, Micro SC card.

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22
Q

Nibble

A

4 bits

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23
Q

Byte

24
Q

Kilobyte (KB)

25
Megabyte (MB)
1000KB
26
Gigabyte (GB)
1000MB
27
Terabyte (TB)
1000GB
28
Petabyte (PB)
1000TB
29
Why must data be stored in binary?
All information that is processed by a computer is in the form of binary in order for it to be understood.
30
Metadata
Additional data stored with the image/audio about the file. Eg. file type, date created, author
31
Right binary shift
Halves the value
32
Left binary shift
Doubles the value.
33
Character set
A defined list of characters that can be stored an recognised by a computer system.
34
Example of character sets
- ASCII - Unicode
35
Calculate text file size
Bits per character x Number of characters
36
Representation of Images
Each pixel has a binary value that corresponds to a colour, and when they come together they make an image.
37
Bitmap
An image made up of different coloured pixels, each with their own binary value.
38
Vector
The mathematics needed to store the square are stored.
39
Colour depth
The number of bits per pixel. The more bits per pixel, more colours are available to be represented.
40
Effect of Colour Depth on file size
The greater the colour depth, the larger the file size.
41
Calculate image file size
Colour depth x Image height x Image width
42
Representation of Sound
A microphone picks up sound as an analogue wave, which is then converted to binary with an ADC for the computer to understand.
43
ADC
Analogue to Digital Converter
44
Bit Depth
The number of bits stored per sample
45
Effect of Bit Depth on file size
The greater the bit depth, the larger the file size.
46
Sample Rate
How often you record the amplitude of a sound wave. Measured in Hz.
47
Effect of Sample Rate on file size
The greater the sample size,
48
Calculate sound file size
Bit Depth x Sample Rate x Track Length
49
Compression
Reducing the number of bits in a file.
50
Lossy Compression
The file size is greatly reduced however some data is permanently lost in the process.
51
Lossless Compression
The file size is reduced and no data is lost, rather it is encoded differently.
52
Advantages of Lossy Compression
- Reduces the file size greatly - Suitable for image, sound and video files
53
Disadvantages of Lossy Compression
- Reduces the quality of the image/audio file. - Unsuitable for text or executable files
54
Advantages of Lossless Compression
- No data is lost. - Can be turned back into original format. - Can be used on all types of data
55
Disadvantages of Lossless Compression
- Less effective than lossy compression at reducing file size.

OCR GCSE Computer Science (11 decks)

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