A computer is an electronic device based on the input-process-output concept.
Input/output unit,
CPU, and Memory unit are the three main components of a computer. Cache memory, primary
memory, and secondary memory constitute the memory unit.
Secondary Memory
The secondary memory is a non-volatile memory that store data and instructions permanently for
years and works as backup storage for data and instructions. The data and instructions that are
currently not being used by the CPU, but may be required later for processing, are stored in
secondary memory. Secondary memory has a higher storage capacity, is cheaper, and takes a
longer time to access the data and instructions stored than in primary memory.
Secondary memory can be distinguished into 4 different types – Magnetic Tapes, Magnetic
Disks, Optical Disks, and Flash Memory.
Magnetic Disks
A magnetic disk is a direct access secondary storage device that uses a magnetization process to
write, rewrite and access data. It is covered with a magnetic coating and stores data in the form
of tracks, spots, and sectors. Magnetic disks are cheap storage devices, can store a large amount
of data, are suitable for frequently read/write data, and are fast access devices. Hard disks, zip
disks, and floppy disks are common examples of magnetic disks.
HDDs
A hard disk drive (HDD is an electromechanical data storage device that stores and retrieves
digital data using magnetic storage. Inside the hard drive, there are sectors located in concentric,
circular paths called tracks, stored on a spinning platter with a thin coating of magnetic material.
The data is stored in a very orderly pattern on each platter. These platters have magnetic heads
that move with an actuator arm to read and write data to the platter surfaces or the drive. A head
moves over the platter, writing 0's and 1's as tiny areas of magnetic North or South on the platter.
To read the data back, the head goes to the same spot, notices the North and South spots flying
by, and so deduces the stored 0's and 1's. Data is accessed in a random-access manner, meaning
that individual blocks of data can be stored and retrieved in any order. HDDs are a type of non-
volatile storage, retaining stored data even when powered off. Modern HDDs are typically in the
form of a small rectangular box. A Modern hard drive can store well over a trillion 0/1 bits per
platter, so the individual North/South spots are quite small.
Write Mechanism
The write mechanism exploits the fact that electricity flowing through a coil produces a magnetic
field. Electric pulses are sent to the write head, and the resulting magnetic patterns are recorded
on the surface below, with different patterns for positive and negative currents. The write head
itself is made of easily magnetizable material and is in the shape of a rectangular doughnut with
a gap along one side and a few turns of conducting wire along the opposite side. An electric
current in the wire induces a magnetic field across the gap, which in turn magnetizes a small area
of the recording medium. Reversing the direction of the current reverses the direction of the
magnetization on the recording medium.
Read Mechanism
Contemporary rigid disk systems require a separate read head, positioned for convenience close
to the write head. The read head consists of a partially shielded magneto-resistive (MR) sensor.
The MR material has an electrical resistance that depends on the direction of the magnetization
of the medium moving under it. By passing a current through the MR sensor, resistance changes
are detected as voltage signals. The MR design allows higher-frequency operation, which
equates to greater storage densities and operating speeds.
