← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

Secondary storage

Non-volatile storage the CPU cannot access directly. It keeps data permanently, even when power is off. Data is copied to RAM before use. Types: magnetic, optical, solid-state.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 3.3 Data Storage — Module 7

Understanding Secondary storage in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What it does: Data travels from secondary storage into RAM first, and only then can the CPU access it directly. Secondary storage gives lots of space for a low cost per byte, which is why a laptop might have 16 GB of RAM but 1 TB of storage. The three types are magnetic (e.g. HDD), optical (e.g. DVD) and solid-state (e.g. SSD). Volatile describes RAM, not a type of secondary storage.

Common mistakes: Secondary storage is non-volatile, so volatile should be False. It keeps its data when the power is off. Data must be copied into RAM before the CPU can use it. ROM is read only and is not where programs are loaded.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 293–303) and word search (Modules 283–303).

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Learning

Duo

Which statement about secondary storage is correct?

It keeps its data when the power is switched offIt loses its data when the power is switched off

Matches

The CPU reads files straight from the hard drive to run a program

↓

The CPU does not access secondary storage directly. The program must first be copied into RAM.

Applying

Meanings

Term

secondary storage

Meaning

Non-volatile storage the CPU cannot access directly. It keeps data permanently, even when power is off. Data is copied to RAM before use. Types: magnetic, optical, solid-state.

Practice

OUTPUT "Secondary storage is non-volatile"

Testing

Gaps

secondary storage is memory

Check Answer

Spots

1volatile = True

2if volatile:

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Quick Questions

1. Which statement about secondary storage is correct?

A. It keeps its data when the power is switched off ✓

B. It loses its data when the power is switched off

Secondary storage is non-volatile, so data stays stored permanently even with no power. RAM is the volatile one.

2. How does the CPU use data held on secondary storage?

A. The CPU reads and runs it directly from the hard drive

B. The data is copied into RAM first, then the CPU uses it ✓

The CPU cannot access secondary storage directly. Programs and files must be loaded into RAM (primary storage) before the CPU can use them.

3. Which one is directly accessed by the CPU?

A. Secondary storage (HDD)

B. Primary storage (RAM) ✓

Only primary storage is directly accessed by the CPU. Secondary storage sits outside this direct connection.

4. Compared with RAM, secondary storage is usually...

A. Larger in capacity and cheaper per byte ✓

B. Smaller in capacity and more expensive per byte

Secondary storage gives lots of space for a low cost per byte, which is why a laptop might have 16 GB of RAM but 1 TB of storage.

5. Which list contains the three types of secondary storage?

A. Magnetic, optical, solid-state ✓

B. Magnetic, volatile, solid-state

The three types are magnetic (e.g. HDD), optical (e.g. DVD) and solid-state (e.g. SSD). Volatile describes RAM, not a type of secondary storage.

Match the Pairs

secondary storage → Non-volatile storage that the CPU cannot access directly and that keeps data permanently, even when the power is off

magnetic, optical, solid-state → The three types of secondary storage

The CPU cannot read secondary storage directly, so a program must be copied into RAM before it can run → load game.exe: secondary storage -> RAM -> CPU

Secondary storage is larger and cheaper per byte than RAM, so it suits keeping lots of data permanently → RAM = 8 GB (volatile) | SSD = 1 TB (non-volatile)

The CPU reads files straight from the hard drive to run a program → The CPU does not access secondary storage directly. The program must first be copied into RAM.

Secondary storage is volatile, so files are lost when the computer is switched off → Secondary storage is non-volatile, so it keeps data when the power is off. It is RAM that is volatile.

Key Term

secondary storage

Non-volatile storage the CPU cannot access directly. It keeps data permanently, even when power is off. Data is copied to RAM before use. Types: magnetic, optical, solid-state.

Fill in the Blanks

1. secondary storage is non-volatile memory

Hint: Type the word for memory that keeps its data when the power is off.

2. copy data from secondary storage to RAM

Hint: Type the primary memory the CPU can access directly, where data must be loaded before use.

3. types: magnetic, optical, solid-state

Hint: Type the third type of secondary storage, the one with no moving parts.

4. CPU accesses secondary storage indirectly

Hint: Type the adverb that is the opposite of 'directly', showing the CPU must go through RAM.

5. Per byte, secondary is cheaper than RAM

Hint: Type the word that compares the cost per byte of secondary storage with RAM.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A volatile = True

B if volatile:

C print('Data lost at off')

D else:

E print('Data is kept')

Line A — Secondary storage is non-volatile, so volatile should be False. It keeps its data when the power is off.

Question 2

A LOAD file FROM secondary

B COPY file INTO ROM

C CPU PROCESSES file FROM RAM

Line B — Data must be copied into RAM before the CPU can use it. ROM is read only and is not where programs are loaded.

Question 3

A ram_gb = 8

B ssd_gb = 4

C if ssd_gb > ram_gb:

D print('Storage larger')

Line B — Secondary storage is much larger than RAM, so the SSD value should be bigger than 8 (e.g. 512). With 4, the condition is False and the message never prints.

Question 4

A ram_cost = 3.00

B disk_cost = 0.05

C if disk_cost > ram_cost:

D print('Disk is cheaper')

Line C — Secondary storage is cheaper per byte than RAM, so the test should be disk_cost < ram_cost.

Question 5

A mag = 'HDD'

B opt = 'DVD'

C ssd = 'RAM'

D print(mag, opt, ssd)

Line C — The three types of secondary storage are magnetic, optical and solid-state. An SSD is solid-state storage. RAM is primary storage, so the value should be 'SSD'.

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