7

Data Storage and Indexing

1.   List the different types of storage media available in the computer system. Also explain how they are classified into different categories?

Ans: In a computer system, several types of storage media, such as cache memory, main memory, magnetic disk, etc. exist. On the basis of their characteristics, such as cost per unit of data and speed with which data can be accessed, they can be arranged in a hierarchical order (see Figure 7.1). In addition to the speed and cost of the various storage media, another issue is volatility.

The cost per unit of data as well as the speed of accessing data decreases while moving down in the memory hierarchy. The storage media at the top, such as cache and main memory, is the highest ...

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