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Edexcel IGCSE ICT Chapter 2 (Mr. K)

Terms in this set (35)

byte
unit of measurement for memory/data storage; the amount of memory required to store one character; equivalent to 8 bits
storage medium
the actual material object used for storing data, e.g., DVD
storage device
the equipment used to handle the medium, e.g., optical drives (for example, DVD/CD/Bluray drive)
platter
data is stored on many of these held above each other in a hard disk
cylinder
the tracks from all platters create one of these
track
each platter is made up of these arranged concentrically (in circles)
access time
the average time taken to respond to a request for data
RAID
storage device that carries multiple copies of data on different hard drives (so if one fails, the data can still be recovered)
fixed head
type of hard disk that has read/write heads permanently stationed above every track
moving head
type of hard disk that has one read/write head on each surface of the platter that traverses in/out to reach tracks
CD
storage medium that can store around 700MB
DVD
storage medium that can store up to 4.7GB on each side
Blu-ray
storage medium that can store up to 50GB of data
DVD-ROM
storage medium on which films would be released. (can be read but not written to.)
DVD-R
type of DVD that allows data to be written ONCE
DVD-RW
type of DVD that can be written to repeatedly (up to 1000 times). Useful for archiving/backing up data.
compatibility
type of problem that occurs when different but similar mediums exist, for example DVD-RW and DVD+RW, and try to be used on all drives
serial
type of data access that requires data to be read from the beginning, in order, until the required place has been reached. (think about having to rewind/fastforward old cassettes or video tapes.)
random
type of data access that allows data anywhere to be accessed instantly (regardless of where on the storage medium it is stored)
backup
a copy of a file
compression
technique used to store large files more efficiently by reducing its size
decompression
technique used to restore files that have been reduced in size to their original format (and file size)
random-access memory
the place where programs (and data used by the programs) are stored while the computer is running. (also known as main memory or primary memory.)
read-only memory
the place where permanent data (for example, the BIOS) is stored on a computer, where it cannot be changed
volatile
type of memory that is cleared when the computer is switched off
non-volatile
type of memory that retains data stored in it when the computer is switched off
backing storage
type of memory used to store data and programs when the computer is switched off. (also known as secondary memory.)
PROM
type of memory that can have information put into it once, and then is locked - it cannot be further edited
EPROM
type of memory that can have information put into it, and then is locked (it cannot be further edited), but can be cleared by shining UV light onto it
EEPROM
type of memory that can have information put into it, and then is locked (it cannot be further edited), but can be cleared by using an electric charge
flash
type of memory (EPROM) that is used in USB drives
BIOS
program stored on the computer that makes sure the computer starts up correctly and all key parts are working
address
a unique number referring to a specific location in memory
word
the amount of data that a computer can directly access at one time (for example, 32-bit, or 64-bit)
terabyte
1 kilobyte (KB) = 1024 bytes
1 megabyte (MB) = 1024 KB
1 gigabyte (GB) = 1024 MB
1 ?? = 1024 GB
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