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Primary storage, also known as main memory or internal memory, refers to the storage space in a computer that is directly accessible to the processor. Primary storage is typically used to store data and instructions that are currently being used or processed by the computer.

Secondary storage, also known as external memory, refers to storage space that is not directly accessible to the processor, but is used to store data and instructions for longer periods of time. Secondary storage is typically used to store data that is not currently being used, but that needs to be kept for future reference.

There are several key differences between primary storage and secondary storage:

Speed: Primary storage is generally faster than secondary storage, as it is directly accessible to the processor. This means that the processor can access and retrieve data from primary storage more quickly than it can from secondary storage.

Capacity: Primary storage is typically smaller in capacity than secondary storage. This is because primary storage is used to store data that is currently being used or processed, while secondary storage is used to store data that is not currently being used.

Cost: Primary storage is typically more expensive than secondary storage, as it requires faster and more expensive memory chips.

Volatility: Primary storage is generally volatile, meaning that it is lost when the power is turned off. In contrast, secondary storage is non-volatile, meaning that it retains data even when the power is turned off.

Location: Primary storage is located inside the computer, while secondary storage is typically external to the computer and is connected to the computer through a port or interface.

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Judy Watson

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1y ago
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Koyel Chakraborty

Lvl 4
11mo ago

From a computer point of view,

Primary memory usually refers to Random Access Memory (RAM), while secondary storage refers to devices such as hard disk drives, solid-state drives, removable “USB” drives, CDs, and DVDs.

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Wiki User

11y ago

Primary is were the operating system and other files are stored which is usually the hard drive. Secondary is a second hard drive or a CD/DVD ROM or 3 1/4 inch floppy drive or any other type of device that stores data.

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9y ago

Secondary storage is storage that is not under the direct control of the CPU and is considered to be external. It differs from primary storage in that it is permanent and does not lose data easily.

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Wajeeha Siddiqi

Lvl 3
1y ago

STORAGE:

primary storage refers to the main storage of the computer or main memory which is the random access memory or RAM

Secondary storage, on the other hand, refers to the external storage devices used to store data on a long-term basis.

Access of Primary Vs. Secondary Storage:

Primary storage holds data or applications which can be directly accessed by the processing unit with minimum or no delay

On the contrary, secondary storage is used to store and retrieve data permanently with no delay

Nature of Primary Vs. Secondary Storage

Primary storage is a volatile memory which means data is lost as soon as the device loses power and it cannot be retained. Primary storage is commonly referred to as primary memory such as the RAM

Secondary storage, commonly known as secondary memory, is a non-volatile memory which is able to retain data even if the device loses power

Device used for Primary Vs. Secondary Storage

RAM is the most common primary storage device which also goes by main memory and is used to store data machine code currently in use. Instructions can be retrieved from the RAM whenever required. It provides fast data access with no delay.

Secondary storage refers to external storage devices such as optical media (CDs and DVDs), hard disk drives (HDD), floppy disks, USB flash drives, etc.

Speed of Primary Vs. Secondary Storage

As programs and applications are stored in main memory, primary storage provides fast and efficient access to the CPU.

On the contrary, secondary storage is more of a long-term storage solution with substantial data storage capacity which makes them relatively slower than their primary counterparts.

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Wiki User

12y ago

Primary storages are volatile. An Example of primary storage : RAM

whereas,

Secondary storages are permanent.

An Example of secondary storage : ROM

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Wiki User

9y ago

The difference between primary and secondary storage is in their state. Primary storage is temporary while secondary storage is permanent.

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Q: Distinguish between primary storage and secondary storage?
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Which device holds data and instructions when it is not inn use?

Secondary Storage


What is secondary memory device?

Secondary memory, also called auxiliary memory or mass storage, consists of devices not directly accessible by the CPU. Hard drives, floppy disks, tapes, and optical disks are widely used for secondary storage. The input and output of these devices is much slower than for the semiconductor devices that provide the computer's primary memory. Although access times (i.e., the time to read or write information) are slow as compared to that of primary memory, secondary memory devices have important features that are unmatched by primary memory. First, most secondary storage devices are capable of containing much more information than is feasible for primary memory (hence the use of the term "mass storage" as a synonym for secondary memory). A second, and essential, feature of secondary memory is that it is non-volatile. This means that data is stored with or without electrical power being supplied to the device, as opposed to RAM, which can retain its data only so long as electrical power is present.


Why a computer system needs both primary and secondary storage?

Unlike primary storage; secondary storage is not directly accessed by the CPU. Examples of secondary storage are hard drives, CD/DVD drives, flash, etc. Anything that can store data without losing it upon power down (non-volatile storage) is considered secondary storage. I believe you can tell why it's a necessary component of a personal computer. Without it we would have no place to store our data.


What is meant by primary storage?

Primary storage, also known as main storage or memory , is the main area in a computer in which data is stored for quick access by the computer's processor . On today's smaller computers, especially personal computers and workstations, the term random access memory (RAM ) - or just memory - is used instead of primary or main storage, and the hard disk, diskette, CD, and DVD collectively describe secondary storage or auxiliary storage.The terms main storage and auxiliary storageoriginated in the days of the mainframe computer to distinguish the more immediately accessible data storage from storage that required input/output operations. An earlier term for main storage was core in the days when the main data storage contained ferrite cores.2) Primary storage is sometimes used to mean storage for data that is in active use in contrast to storage that is used for backup purposes. In this usage, primary storage is mainly the secondary storage referred to in meaning 1. (It should be noted that, although these two meanings conflict, the appropriate meaning is usually apparent from the context.)


Serial access secondary storage device?

name one access secondary device?

Related questions

Differences between secondary storage and primary storage?

Primary storages are volatile. An Example of primary storage : RAM whereas, Secondary storages are permanent. An Example of secondary storage : ROM


Is the secondary storage faster than main memory?

No. The secondary storage is typically slowerthan primary storage. But the secondary storage has higher capacity than primary storage.


Is ram a secondary storage device?

ram is primary storage


Distinguish between primary and secondary memory?

Computer memory is categorized into primary and secondary memory. While primary memory is the main memory of the computer which is used to store data or information temporarily, whereas secondary memory refers to external storage devices that are used to store data or information permanently.


What are differences between primary and secondary storage devices?

Primary storage is usually the drive where the operating system is and the secondary storage is a additional drive for space. Usually, Windows names it's primary drive as C:\ and all it's following as other letters.


What is the difference between hardrive and ram?

hardrive nothing but it is secondary storage device,And Ram is a primary storage device


What is the difference between hardrive ram?

hardrive nothing but it is secondary storage device,And Ram is a primary storage device


What are the similarities between secondary memory and primary memory pdf?

They are both storage devices


Describe the main types of primary and secondary storage?

Computer data storage, or memory, is the means through which the computer records and accesses digital data. The two types of storage are primary and secondary. Primary storage includes RAM and process registers, and secondary storage is the hard disk and flash memory.


What are the Types of storage devices in PC hardware?

Primary and Secondary storage.


Examples of storage?

secondary storage , primary storage , temporary storage


How primary and secondary storage handle storage for application program instructions?

when working on a Microsoft word document, why is it important to save your work often?(use primary and secondary storage to explain)