← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

Solid-state (flash) storage

Storage that keeps data in flash memory chips with no moving parts. It is non-volatile, so data stays when power is off. Examples are SSD, SD card and USB drive.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 3.3 Data Storage — Module 14

Understanding Solid-state (flash) storage in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What it does: The code shows zero moving parts, which is the key feature of solid-state storage. The arrow shows that when the power is off the data is still kept, which is what non-volatile means. An SD card uses flash memory chips. A CD-ROM is optical storage, read by a laser from pits and lands. No moving parts means there is nothing to break if the laptop is bumped. Spinning disks and moving heads can be damaged by knocks. NAND and NOR are the two types of flash memory (named after logic gates). RAM and ROM are types of primary memory. All three devices are solid-state and store data in flash chips. None of them stores data using magnetism.

Common mistakes: Solid-state storage has no moving parts, because data is held in electronic flash chips. It should be MOVING_PARTS ← FALSE. Flash storage is non-volatile, so data is kept when the power is off. It should be VOLATILE ← FALSE.

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Learning
Duo
Which statement about solid-state storage is correct?
It stores data on spinning platters read by a moving headIt stores data in flash memory chips with no moving parts
Matches
An SSD stores data on spinning platters read by a laser
↓
SSDs have no spinning platters or lasers. They store data in flash memory chips. Spinning platters belong to a hard disk drive.
Applying
Meanings
Term
solid-state storage
Meaning
Storage that keeps data in flash memory chips with no moving parts. It is non-volatile, so data stays when power is off. Examples are SSD, SD card and USB drive.
Practice
storage ← "SSD"
Testing
Gaps
Solid-state storage has no parts
Check Answer
Spots
2MEDIUM ← "flash chips"
3MOVING_PARTS ← TRUE

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Quick Questions

1. Which statement about solid-state storage is correct?
A. It stores data in flash memory chips with no moving parts ✓
B. It stores data on spinning platters read by a moving head
Solid-state storage uses electronic flash chips. Spinning platters and read/write heads belong to a hard disk drive (magnetic storage).
2. A student unplugs a USB drive. What happens to the files stored on it?
A. The files stay, because flash storage is non-volatile ✓
B. The files are lost, because flash storage is volatile
Flash memory is non-volatile, so data is kept even when there is no power. Volatile memory such as RAM loses its data.
3. Which device is an example of solid-state storage?
A. CD-ROM
B. SD card ✓
An SD card uses flash memory chips. A CD-ROM is optical storage, read by a laser from pits and lands.
4. Why is an SSD usually better than an HDD in a laptop that is carried around in a school bag?
A. It has a spinning disk inside, so it is tougher when dropped
B. It has no moving parts, so it is less likely to be damaged by knocks ✓
No moving parts means there is nothing to break if the laptop is bumped. Spinning disks and moving heads can be damaged by knocks.
5. Which pair of words names the two main types of flash memory technology?
A. NAND and NOR ✓
B. RAM and ROM
NAND and NOR are the two types of flash memory (named after logic gates). RAM and ROM are types of primary memory.

Match the Pairs

SSD → A solid-state drive: flash memory chips with no moving parts, used as the main secondary storage in many laptops and PCs
NAND flash → The type of flash memory most used in SSDs, SD cards and USB drives, which stores lots of data in a small space
Solid-state storage has no moving parts, so it is silent and not damaged by spinning or moving heads → moving_parts = 0
Solid-state storage is non-volatile, so data stays when the power is switched off → power_off -> data kept
An SSD stores data on spinning platters read by a laser → SSDs have no spinning platters or lasers. They store data in flash memory chips. Spinning platters belong to a hard disk drive.
Flash memory is volatile, so a USB drive loses its data when unplugged → Flash memory is non-volatile, so a USB drive keeps its data when unplugged or when the power is off.

Key Term

solid-state storage
Storage that keeps data in flash memory chips with no moving parts. It is non-volatile, so data stays when power is off. Examples are SSD, SD card and USB drive.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Solid-state storage has no moving parts
Hint: Type the word describing the kind of parts that flash storage does not have, unlike a hard disk.
2. Flash storage is non-volatile memory
Hint: Type the term meaning data is kept when the power is switched off.
3. Two flash types are NAND and NOR
Hint: Type the name of the flash technology that is paired with NOR.
4. SD card, USB drive and SSD
Hint: Type the abbreviation for the solid-state drive used inside many laptops.
5. Flash data is stored in memory chips
Hint: Type the word for the small electronic components that hold the data in flash storage.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A DEVICE ← "SSD"
B MEDIUM ← "flash chips"
C MOVING_PARTS ← TRUE
Line C — Solid-state storage has no moving parts, because data is held in electronic flash chips. It should be MOVING_PARTS ← FALSE.
Question 2
A DEVICE ← "USB drive"
B MEDIUM ← "flash chips"
C MOVING_PARTS ← FALSE
D VOLATILE ← TRUE
Line D — Flash storage is non-volatile, so data is kept when the power is off. It should be VOLATILE ← FALSE.
Question 3
A DEVICE ← "SD card"
B MEDIUM ← "flash chips"
C VOLATILE ← FALSE
D USES_PLATTERS ← TRUE
Line D — An SD card stores data in flash chips, not on magnetic platters. Platters belong to hard disk drives. It should be USES_PLATTERS ← FALSE.
Question 4
A DEVICE ← "SSD"
B POWER ← "OFF"
C DATA_KEPT ← FALSE
Line C — An SSD is non-volatile, so its data is still kept when the power is off. It should be DATA_KEPT ← TRUE.
Question 5
A FLASH_TYPE1 ← "NAND"
B FLASH_TYPE2 ← "NOT"
C BOTH_USE ← "transistors"
Line B — The two flash memory technologies are NAND and NOR. NOT is a logic gate, not a type of flash memory. It should be "NOR".

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