← Years 5–6 Digital Systems

Cloud storage

Cloud storage keeps your files on remote servers, owned by another company, that you reach over a network. You can open them from many devices, but you need a connection.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems & Security — Module 11, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 3.3 Data Storage — Module 25

Understanding Cloud storage in Years 5–6 Digital Systems

What it does: The same file is reached from different devices because it lives on a remote server, not on one device. Without a network connection you cannot reach the remote servers, so you cannot open your cloud files. The 'cloud' is really servers (computers) owned by a company, usually in large data centres.

Common mistakes: Uploading to cloud storage needs a network connection. The condition should be 'if connected:' so the upload only runs when the device is online. The files are kept on the cloud's remote servers, not on the device. They should be fetched with cloud.download_all().

Class: _____________________ · Name: _____________________ · Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 11–20) and word search (Modules 1–20).

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Learning

Duo

Where are files saved when you use cloud storage?

Only on the hard drive inside your own deviceOn remote servers that you reach over a network

Matches

cloud_files = stored_on(my_own_laptop)

↓

Cloud files are not stored on your own laptop. They are stored on remote servers owned by another company.

Applying

Meanings

Term

cloud storage

Meaning

Cloud storage keeps your files on remote servers, owned by another company, that you reach over a network. You can open them from many devices, but you need a connection.

Practice

Cloud storage

Testing

Gaps

cloud files are stored on a server

Check Answer

Spots

1connected = True

2if not connected:

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Quick Questions

1. Where are files saved when you use cloud storage?

A. On remote servers that you reach over a network ✓

B. Only on the hard drive inside your own device

Cloud storage keeps your data on remote servers, not just on your own device.

2. Which statement about cloud storage is true?

A. Your files are stored in the sky, not on any computer

B. Your files are stored on someone else's computers ✓

The 'cloud' is really servers (computers) owned by a company, usually in large data centres.

3. You saved a photo to cloud storage on your tablet. What can you do next?

A. Open it from your laptop by signing in to your account ✓

B. Open it only on the tablet you saved it on

Cloud storage lets you access your files from many devices.

4. What do you need to open a file that is only stored in the cloud?

A. A network connection, such as the internet ✓

B. No connection at all, it works anywhere

Cloud files are reached over a network, so you need a connection to get to them.

5. Your Wi-Fi is down and your homework file is only in the cloud. What happens?

A. The file opens as normal because it is on your device

B. You cannot open the file until you reconnect ✓

Without a network connection you cannot reach the remote servers that hold your file.

Match the Pairs

cloud storage → Keeping your files on remote servers that you reach over a network

upload("photo.jpg", cloud) → Sends a copy of a file over the network to be stored on a remote server

You can open your cloud files from many devices, like a phone and a laptop → open("photo.jpg", from=phone) open("photo.jpg", from=laptop)

Cloud storage needs a network connection to reach your files → if network == "offline": cannot_open(file)

cloud_files = stored_on(my_own_laptop) → Cloud files are not stored on your own laptop. They are stored on remote servers owned by another company.

open(cloud_file, network="none") → Cloud files cannot be opened with no network. A connection to the remote server is needed.

Key Term

cloud storage

Cloud storage keeps your files on remote servers, owned by another company, that you reach over a network. You can open them from many devices, but you need a connection.

Fill in the Blanks

1. cloud files are stored on a remote server

Hint: Type the word that describes a server located far away from you, not in your own device.

2. IF connected = true THEN open cloud file

Hint: Type the Boolean value that connected must hold before you can reach your cloud files.

3. devices = ["phone", "laptop", "tablet"] FOR EACH device IN devices open cloud file

Hint: Type the variable name of the list, so the loop opens the cloud file from many devices.

4. IF file is in the cloud THEN owned by another company

Hint: Type the word meaning a different company from you owns the computers that hold your files.

5. send photo over the network to the server now stored in the cloud

Hint: Type the word for the connection that carries your file to the remote server.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A connected = True

B if not connected:

C upload("photo.jpg")

D print("Saved to the cloud")

Line B — Uploading to cloud storage needs a network connection. The condition should be 'if connected:' so the upload only runs when the device is online.

Question 2

A device = "tablet"

B login(device, "my_account")

C files = device.download_all()

D print(files)

Line C — The files are kept on the cloud's remote servers, not on the device. They should be fetched with cloud.download_all().

Question 3

A location = "remote servers"

B owner = "me"

C print("Stored on", location)

D print("Owned by", owner)

Line B — Cloud storage is on someone else's computers, owned by another company. The line should be owner = "another company".

Question 4

A files = ["a.doc", "b.jpg"]

B for f in files:

C upload(f)

D print("Saved on this device")

Line D — The loop uploads each file to cloud storage, so the message should say the files are saved to the cloud, not on this device.

Question 5

A devices = ["phone", "laptop"]

B for d in devices:

C open_cloud(d "notes.txt")

D print(d, "can see notes")

Line C — There is a missing comma between the two arguments. It should be open_cloud(d, "notes.txt") so each device can open the same cloud file.

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