Essay On Secondary Storage

The computer does its primary work in a part of the machine we cannot see, a control center that converts data input to information output. This control center, called the central processing unit (CPU), is a highly complex, extensive set of electronic circuitry that executes stored program instructions. All computers, large and small, must have a central processing unit. As Figure 1 shows, the central processing unit consists of two parts: The control unit and the arithmetic/logic unit. Each part has a specific function.

• The Control Unit o Contains circuitry that uses electrical signals to direct the entire computer system to carry out, or execute, stored program instructions. o The control unit does not execute program instructions; rather,

o There may not be room in memory to hold the processed data.

The control unit sends them. Likewise, when the time is right, the control unit sends these items from memory to the arithmetic/logic unit, where an arithmetic operation or logical operation is performed. After being processed, the information is sent to memory, where it is held until it is ready to be released to an output unit.

The Benefits of Secondary Storage

Secondary storage, sometimes called auxiliary storage, is storage separate from the computer itself, where you can store software and data on a semi-permanent basis. Secondary storage is necessary because memory, or primary storage, can be used only temporarily. If you are sharing your computer, you must yield memory to someone else after your program runs; if you are not sharing your computer, your programs and data will disappear from memory when you turn off the computer. However, you probably want to store the data you have used or the information you have derived from processing; that is why secondary storage is needed. Furthermore, memory is limited in size, whereas secondary storage media can store as much data as