Magnetic Tape and Optical Memory Storage
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary method by which CD-ROMs record digital information?

  • Microscopic holes on the disk surface (correct)
  • Conductive pathways that change state
  • Magnetic imprinting
  • Electrical signals from a circuit
  • Which of the following characteristics is true for WORM (Write-Once Read-Many) CDs?

  • They can be rewritten multiple times.
  • They have the same functionality as standard CD-ROMs.
  • They provide a permanent record suitable for archival storage. (correct)
  • They allow for easy replication and production.
  • What advantage do erasable optical disks have over magnetic disks?

  • Ability to be written and overwritten multiple times (correct)
  • Lower production costs
  • Higher capacity for data storage
  • Faster data access times
  • What role do input and output devices play in a computer system?

    <p>They provide an interface between users and the computer.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key feature of CD-ROMs that affects their use?

    <p>They can store a large amount of data at a relatively low cost.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of the Control Unit in a CPU?

    <p>To synchronize the operations of the CPU and external data paths</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a type of machine instruction?

    <p>Information retrieval</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is numeric data represented in a computer?

    <p>In binary format using symbols '0' and '1'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does an operation code in a machine instruction indicate?

    <p>The specific operation to be performed</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What occurs during the instruction cycle of a CPU?

    <p>Each instruction is performed as a series of steps</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main memory used for in a computer system?

    <p>Temporary storage of currently used programs and data</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component is used to perform arithmetic and logic operations in a CPU?

    <p>Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What must occur before data from secondary memory can be manipulated by the CPU?

    <p>It must be loaded into main memory</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primarily distinguishes a von Neumann computer from other types of computers?

    <p>It can solve various problems dependent on the software executed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the Control Unit in a CPU?

    <p>To interpret and execute the instructions from memory.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the main memory function in a von Neumann architecture?

    <p>It stores both data and instructions in an organized manner.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What component of the CPU is responsible for executing basic operations?

    <p>The Arithmetic/Logic Unit</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the function of registers in a CPU?

    <p>They are used for temporary storage of data and intermediate results.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'instruction execution' refer to?

    <p>The process by which instructions stored in memory are carried out.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are computer peripherals classified as?

    <p>Input devices, output devices, and secondary memories.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of the von Neumann architecture, what is meant by the term 'addressable by location'?

    <p>Data and instructions can be retrieved based on their memory location.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic primarily differentiates main memory from secondary memory?

    <p>Main memory is faster and of limited size.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes a common semiconductor memory type?

    <p>Random access memory (RAM).</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the data in RAM when electrical power is removed?

    <p>The data is lost.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which feature is true for hard disks?

    <p>They have a large storage capacity from 8MB to several GB.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of access does magnetic tape use?

    <p>Sequential access.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes the primary use of magnetic tape?

    <p>For backup or archival purposes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a unique feature of floppy disks compared to hard disks?

    <p>Floppy disks require a special diskette drive to access data.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a disadvantage of using magnetic tape for data storage?

    <p>It has slower access times than hard disks.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Magnetic Tape and Optical Memory

    • Magnetic Tape: Composed of plastic coated with iron oxide, allowing for data storage by magnetizing in various directions.

    • Sequential Access: Access time ranges from 1 to 5 seconds, suitable for backup and archival storage.

    • Storage Capacity: Holds approximately 50 MB per tape. Inexpensive compared to other storage mediums.

    • CD-ROM (Compact Disk ROM): Features a surface with microscopic holes that encode digital information.

    • Properties: Offers a capacity of 775 MB per disk, equivalent to about 550 floppy disks; inexpensive to replicate and manufacture; read-only and removable; access time can be as long as half a second.

    • WORM (Write-Once Read-Many) CD: Utilizes a moderate laser intensity to imprint entire patterns on the disk, ideal for permanent archival storage of large data volumes.

    • Erasable Optical Disk: Combines laser technology with magnetic surface techniques, enabling multiple writes and overwrites while ensuring high reliability and longevity compared to magnetic disks.

    Computer System Architecture

    • Computer Definition: A data processing machine that operates autonomously based on a list of instructions (program) stored in its main memory.
    • Components of a Computer System: Typically includes the computer itself and its peripherals, such as input devices, output devices, and secondary memory.

    Von Neumann Architecture

    • General-Purpose Design: Can solve different problems depending on the programming executed.
    • Memory Storage: Both data and instructions reside in main memory, addressable by location, and processed sequentially unless modified by specific instructions.
    • Central Processing Unit (CPU): Comprised of a control unit (CU) for coordinating instruction execution and an arithmetic/logic unit (ALU) for performing calculations and logical operations.

    Data Representation

    • Binary Format: Data and instructions inside the computer are represented using binary digits "0" and "1". Each number corresponds to powers of 2.
    • Arithmetic Operations: Binary numbers can be directly manipulated (added, subtracted, multiplied, divided) without conversion to decimal.

    Instruction Cycle and Machine Instructions

    • Machine Instructions: Specific to each CPU, instruct the computer on actions such as data transfer, arithmetic operations, and input/output operations.
    • Instruction Cycle Steps: A series of actions that correspond to executing a single instruction.

    Control Unit and Communication

    • Control Unit Function: Synchronizes components within the CPU and external interfaces to ensure proper operation of the computer system.
    • Bus Communication: Various buses connect different components for smooth data exchange.

    Memory Types

    • Main Memory: Fast, limited size, designed to store currently used programs and data. Most common type is Random Access Memory (RAM), which loses data without power.
    • Secondary Memory: Provides long-term storage; data must be loaded into main memory before processing.

    Hard Disk Drive

    • Composition: Data is recorded on disks made of metal with magnetic coatings, housed in protective casings.
    • Key Features: Direct access with a seek time of approximately 10 ms and data transfer rates around 5 MB/s; storage capacity ranges from 8MB to several GB.

    Diskette

    • Construction: Polyester-coated floppy disks, requiring a special drive for data access.
    • Key Attributes: Direct access, cost-effective, and portable with capacities of 360 KB for 5 1/4-inch and 1.44 MB for 3 1/2-inch disks.

    Summary of Key Features

    • Magnetic Tape: Sequential, high storage, cost-effective.
    • CD-ROM: Large capacity, read-only, removable media.
    • WORM CD: Permanent data storage.
    • Erasable Optical Disk: High durability and rewrite capability.
    • CPU and Memory: Control unit, ALU, and memory types define architecture and function of computers.

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    Chapter 1.pptx

    Description

    This quiz explores the fundamentals of magnetic tape and optical memory technologies, including their properties, access times, and storage capacities. Learn about different types of storage media like CD-ROMs, WORM CDs, and erasable optical disks, as well as their applications in data storage and archiving.

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