What is Secondary Memory? Examples & Uses | Types of Secondary Memory

Secondary memory is also known as the backup memory, auxiliary memory or additional memory. It is non-volatile computer memory that is quickly accessible by processor; and it allows users to keep store data and information that can be easily transmitted, retrieved, and used by other services and apps. So, here we will explain about what is secondary memory with its examples and uses; involve with different types of secondary memory in computer with ease. At the end of this post, you will definitely aware about Secondary Memory without any hassle.

What is Secondary Memory?

Definition: Secondary Memory is also called “storage device” and “auxiliary memory“, “external memory“. Secondary memory devices are volatile in nature, it means that data does not discard while power turn-off, in which all data store for long time.

What-is-Secondary-Memory

Secondary memory has the speed of access of data is very slow compare to primary memory, and cheaper as well. Without primary memory, those secondary memory devices are useless because for processing the secondary memory must be needed the primary memory, first of all data are transferred into primary memory then these data make for executable.

Also Read: What is Computer Mouse and their Types?

Secondary Memory Tutorial Headlines:

In this section, we will show you all headlines about this entire article; you can check them as your choice; below shown all:

  1. What is Secondary Memory?
  2. Types of Secondary Memory with Examples
  3. Examples of Secondary Memory in Computer
  4. Uses of Secondary Memory in Computer
  5. Difference Between Primary and Secondary Memory
  6. FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
  • What is secondary memory in computer?
  • Why is secondary memory important in computer?
  • Why is it called secondary memory?
  • What are the 5 examples of secondary memory of computer?
  • Why do we use secondary memory in computer?
  • How many types of secondary memory in computer?

Let’s Get Started!!

Types of Secondary Memory with Examples

Secondary memory can be used in computer either internally or externally. Secondary Storage memory is classified into four different categories like as:

Magnetic Storage Devices:

In the Magnetic storage devices, all data are stored with using magnetized medium, and those types of data saved in that medium in the binary form like as 0 and 1. This magnetic storage has also non-volatile storage nature. Today’s, mostly people are preferred to magnetic medium because on the magnetic storage devices can be performed read/write activities very easily. Magnetic storage devices have huge capacities for storing data that it’s more attractive point. These storage devices are not more costly but their data accessing power is slow, but this magnetic mechanism also to be used in the RAM that have good data accessing power to other.

Examples Are:

  • Floppy diskette
  • Hard drive
  • Magnetic strip
  • SuperDisk
  • Tape cassette
  • Zip diskette

Optical Storage Devices:

In the optical storage devices, all read and write activities are performed by light. All recording information stores at an optical disk. As per the opinions of data scientist that compact space is most useful for huge data storage. Their big advantages are not more costly, light weight, and easy to transport because it is removable device unlike hard drive.

Examples Are:

  • Blu-ray disc
  • CD-ROM disc
  • CD-R and CD-RW disc.
  • DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, and DVD+RW disc.

Flash Memory Devices:

Flash Memory was introduced by Dr. Fujio Masuoka in 1980. Flash memory is also known as electronically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), because in which piece of  code like as programming can be write and erased by electrically. Flash memory also uses for the storing data to computers as well as electronic devices such as USB flash drives, MP3 players, digital cameras and solid-state drives. Flash memory is non volatile in nature because all data are persisted in the memory when power is turn-off.

Examples Are:

  • USB flash drive, jump drive, or thumb drive.
  • CF (CompactFlash)
  • M.2
  • Memory card
  • MMC
  • NVMe
  • SDHC Card
  • SmartMedia Card
  • Sony Memory Stick
  • SD card
  • SSD
  • xD-Picture Card

Online Cloud System:

Clouding is systematically model for storing data in computer, and in which entire data are stored in logically nature. Those clouding system are managed by other hosting companies. With the help of online clouding, all data can be access by couples of users anytime and anywhere. Big advantages are not place limitation as well as no need carry any storage device.

There are some types:

  • Cloud storage
  • Network media

Examples of Secondary Memory in Computer

In this section, we will spread light on the various examples of secondary memory, which are going to use in your computer system; below shown each one, you can check them:

Also Read: Types of Computer and Their Functions!!

Floppy Diskette: It is also called the ‘Floppy Disk’ that is constructed of a plastic disk plate. It is small in size and its disk is a flexible outer layer made of iron-oxide. Floppy disk contains the plastic cover that is called jacket. At the centre of jacket, there is a point from where it moves 360 RPM per minute.

Hard Drive: Hard drive is also called the hard disk drive, hard disk, and fixed disk. It is an electro-mechanical data storage memory that allows keeping store and fetching digital data by using of magnetic storage along with single or multiple rigid rapidly rotating palters coated with magnetic material.

Solid State Drive: SSS (Solid State Drive) is going to use keep store and fetch all information from the computer; it works just as a hard disk drive. As well as, SSD has not any movable parts. Without having any moving parts, its data can be easily accessed, saving time and energy.

Pen Drive: Pen drives are also known as the USB flash drives, thumb drives, and jump drives. They are portable hard drives that are connected by USB port to the computer system. They can be used for transfer and data storage as well. They are plug & play device that means, they don’t need any special software for using.

Magnetic Strip Card: The magnetic strip card is designed with magnetic technology that lets information to be read, whenever the card is swept through a card reader.

SuperDisk: The SuperDisk LS-120 is a higher speed, highly capacity that is best alternative to the 90 mm, 1.44 MB floppy disk. It was introduced by Imation, 3M’s storage products group in the mid-1990s.

Blu-Ray Disc: Blue-ray disk is an optical storage medium that allows to keep store high definition videos and other stuffs. As compare with CD/DVD, blue ray disk uses less storage, and its storage capacity is 128 GB of data.

Memory Card: The memory card is an electronic data storage device that is going to use for keeping digital information, usually using the flash memory.it is mostly going to use in the digital portable electronic devices like as camera, mobile phone, PC, and etc.

DVD Drive: DVD stands for ‘Digital Video Disk’, and it is and optical media that allows to store optical data. It is look-wise as a CD but its storage capacity is more as compare to CD. It is going to use for store movies and other software programs.

CD Drive: CD-drive is also a portable secondary storage device that is round in shape and constructed with poly carbonated plastic. It is going to use for storing data such as audio files, Video, text, images, documents, numbers and software programs.

SD Card: SD card is also called the ‘Secured Digital Card’. It is a portable storage device that is mostly used into mobile phones and digital cameras. Users also can connect it along with computers and share data by using the card reader. SD card contains the many chips that help to store data and information as permanently.

SD card has few variants like as:

  • Standard SD cards
  • Mini SD cards
  • Micro SD cards

xD-Picture Card: The xD-Picture Card is an obsolete variant of the flash memory card that is going to use in the digital cameras introduced by Olympus and Fujifilm during the 2000s

Other list of Secondary Memory Examples:

  • Tape cassette
  • Zip diskette
  • CD-ROM disc
  • CD-R and CD-RW disc
  • DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, and DVD+RW disc
  • USB flash drive, jump drive, or thumb drive.
  • CF (CompactFlash)
  • 2
  • MMC
  • NVMe
  • SDHC Card
  • SmartMedia Card
  • Sony Memory Stick

Uses of Secondary Memory in Computer

The secondary memory is inexpensive and slower as compare to the primary memory otherwise main memory. They are non-volatile memory in nature that means your data and information is never damaged, whenever there is power failure or loss of power.

Also Read: What is CPU and its Components? Parts of CPU and Their Functions!!

  • The secondary memory is going to use keep data and information as permanently.
  • Once data and information is stored completely then, they can be easily accessed whenever your requests.
  • They are highly portable device that means they can be transferred from one region to another as your convince.
  • They also can be used for getting to install system software and other applications.
  • They also allow to take backup of the essential data and information.

Difference Between Primary and Secondary Memory

Primary Memory can be volatile and non volatile.

Secondary Memory only has non volatile in nature.

Data buses are used by primary memory for accessing data.

I/O channels are used by secondary memory.

Processing unit is capable to access data directly.

Data access indirectly means all data are transfer secondary memory to primary memory then it can access by CPU.

Primary memory is also known as internal memory.

Secondary memory is called also Backup or Auxiliary memory.

Primary memory has two categories like as RAM and ROM.

Secondary memory has four categories like as Magnetic Storage, Optical Storage, Flash storage, and Online Cloud System.

Primary memory is more costly to secondary memory.

Secondary memory is cheaper to primary memory.

Primary memory has low capacity compare to secondary memory.

Secondary memory has to more power for storing data up to terabyte.

All data goes to loss while power is turn off.

In secondary memory, all data can be access anytime either power is on or not.

In which, all data are saved in semiconductor chip.

In which, entire data are stored in storage devices such as hard drive, CD, and more.

Primary memory is faster than to secondary memory.

Secondary memory is slow compare to primary memory.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is secondary memory in computer?

Secondary memory is also called the backup memory, auxiliary memory or additional memory. It is non-volatile computer memory that is quickly accessible by processor; and it allows users to keep store data and information that can be easily transmitted, retrieved, and used by other services and apps.

Why is secondary memory important in computer?

The secondary memory has most importance for your computer system, because it allows to enlarge storage capacity as non-volatile nature, that means your data and information never lost while turning off power.

Why is it called secondary memory?

Secondary memory is named as such because it is not capable to get directly access to the CPU.

What are the 5 examples of secondary memory of computer?

There are many examples of secondary memory in the computer, some of them are Floppy Diskette, Hard Drive, Solid State Drive, Pen Drive, Blu-Ray Disc, Memory Card, DVD Drive, SD Card, Tape cassette, Zip diskette, and etc.

Why do we use secondary memory in computer?

We are going to use the secondary memory in computer to keep store data and information as permanently at the cheaper price. These kinds of memory are capable to store vast volume of data such as text files, video, audios, pictures, and etc.

How many types of secondary memory in computer?

There are four different types of secondary memory of the computer like as Magnetic Storage Devices, Optical Storage Devices, Flash Memory Devices, and Online Cloud System. Each one is explained in detail above in this post; you can check them.

Wrapping Up

Through this Article, you have been fully educated about what is secondary memory with its examples and uses; involve with many different types of secondary memory in the computer with ease. If this article is useful for you, then please share it along with your friends, family members or relatives over social media platforms like as Facebook, Instagram, Linked In, Twitter, and more.

Also Read: Storage Devices: Examples, Functions, Uses, | Types of Storage Devices!!

If you have any experience, tips, tricks, or query regarding this issue? You can drop a comment!

Happy Learning!!

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