Secondary Memory Basics

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Questions and Answers

What is a characteristic of secondary memory?

It is directly controlled by the CPU.

It is volatile in nature.

It can hold a massive amount of data. (correct)

It is faster than primary memory.

Which of the following is not an example of secondary storage?

Hard Disk

RAM (correct)

USB flash drive

Optical disk

Which of the following statements is true regarding the access of secondary memory?

It must be copied into RAM before being used. (correct)

It is the fastest type of memory available.

It can be accessed directly by the CPU without any intermediaries.

It operates at the same speed as primary memory.

What is the main difference between primary and secondary memory?

Secondary memory is external and not directly under CPU control. Signup and view all the answers

What is the smallest unit of data storage?

Bit Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Memory Data Register (MDR)?

To contain data ready to be processed by the CPU Signup and view all the answers

How does a register differ from main memory?

Registers provide faster access compared to main memory Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the control lines in a bus system?

To manage and coordinate activities of motherboard components Signup and view all the answers

What does the address bus facilitate within a computer system?

Identifying locations in memory for data storage Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the purpose of buses in a computer system?

To reduce the number of direct connections needed for device communication Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Current Instruction Register (CIR)?

To store the instruction currently being executed or decoded Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the difference between registers and main memory?

Registers are located inside the CPU and are very fast, while main memory is external and slower. Signup and view all the answers

During the decode phase of the fetch-execute cycle, what occurs?

The CPU interprets the instruction stored in the CIR. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the Memory Address Register (MAR) serve?

It keeps the memory address for data fetching or storing. Signup and view all the answers

In the fetch-execute cycle, where is the address of the next instruction temporarily held?

In the Program Counter (PC) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Secondary Memory

Permanent, non-volatile memory not directly accessed by the computer or processor.
Requires data to be copied into RAM before use.
Capable of storing vast amounts of data.
Considered the slowest and most economical type of memory.
Common examples include:
- Hard Disk (Local Disk)
- Optical Disks (CDs, DVDs)
- Floppy Disks
- USB Flash Drives
- Memory Cards

Differences between Primary and Secondary Memory

Primary Memory
- Internal memory located within the computer.
- Directly controlled by the CPU.
- Limited capacity, not suitable for massive data storage.
- Faster access speeds compared to secondary memory.
- Does not provide supplementary storage; instead, it is the main data access point.
Secondary Memory
- External memory located outside the main system.
- Not under direct control of the CPU.
- Designed for massive data storage, accommodating large volumes of information.
- Slower access speeds compared to primary memory.
- Serves to supplement primary memory by providing additional storage capacity.

Unit of Storage

Storage capacity refers to the available space for data storage in specific media.
Bits, the fundamental unit of data storage, represent the binary digit system, denoted as either 0 or 1.

Computer Data Conversion

Register: A high-speed storage location within the CPU that holds data, addresses, or instructions. Registers must be sized to accommodate the instruction type (e.g., a 32-bit register for a 32-bit instruction computer).
Address: A unique label or number identifying a memory location that stores information. Memory consists of an array of one-byte storage boxes, each with a distinct address.
Bus: A physical connection system (cables, circuits) enabling communication among hardware components. Buses reduce the number of pathways needed for component communication.
Types of Buses:
- Internal (System) Bus: Connects internal components, including the CPU and main memory; also known as Front Side Bus (FSB).
- External/Expansion Bus: Connects external components (peripherals) to the internal bus via a bridge in the processor chipset; referred to as input/output bus.
Bus Lines:
- Address Bus: Transfers memory addresses between components.
- Control Bus: Sends signals to coordinate motherboard activities.
- Data Bus: Transfers data between peripherals, memory, and the CPU, often becoming a busy pathway.

Types of Registers and Their Functions

Memory Data Register (MDR): Holds data to be stored in memory or data fetched from memory for CPU processing. Acts as a buffer.
Current Instruction Register (CIR): Stores the currently executing or decoding instruction within the CPU's control unit.
Memory Address Register (MAR): Holds the memory location of data to be accessed, either for fetching or writing. Directs data flow between memory and the CPU through MDR.

Differences Between Register and Main Memory

Location: Registers are located inside the CPU, while main memory is external to the processor.
Speed: Registers operate at high speed; main memory is slower in comparison.

Fetch-Execute Cycle

Based on the FETCH-EXECUTE principle within the Von Neumann architecture, modern processors execute instructions stored in main memory.
Process Overview:
- Fetch: The Program Counter (PC) stores the address of the next instruction. The control unit fetches the instruction from this address and copies it to the CIR.
- Decode: The CPU interprets the fetched instruction stored in the CIR, utilizing the CPU's specific instruction set.
- Get Data if Needed: If an instruction requires additional data, the control unit retrieves the necessary memory content for execution. For example, adding memory content to a register involves fetching the relevant data from memory.

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Description

This quiz covers the fundamentals of secondary memory in computer systems. Learn about its characteristics, storage capacity, and the differences between primary and secondary memory. Test your knowledge on various examples of secondary storage.