How Are Storage Devices Measured in Computers?
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Bytes to Gigabytes
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The lowest level of computer storage is the bit. The computer uses a binary numbering system, meaning ones and zeros. A bit is a one or a zero. To understand this concept, think of it as yes and no. If you were speaking to someone who could only say either yes or no, it would take time but theoretically, you could figure out anything from that person by asking the right questions. That is how computer language works. A byte is really eight bits. A kilobyte is 1,024 bytes. A megabyte is 1,024 kilobytes. A gigabyte is 1,024 megabytes. A terabyte is 1,024 gigabytes.
The Hard Drive
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The main staple of computer storage is the hard disk drive. The hard drive serves as the default storage device for the computer, which is why it holds the operating system. When the computer turns on, in order for it to function it needs a disk to read; thus, a computer always has at least one permanent hard drive installed. You can also purchase secondary hard drives for your computer. These are available in external or internal models. Hard drives measure in either gigabytes or terabytes.
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Flash Drives
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Flash drives are miniature devices that use flash memory storage integrated with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector. They are popular because of their small size, ease of use and portability. All you have to do is take the flash drive and insert it into your computer's USB outlet, and then you have immediate access to the files stored on the drive. They measure in megabytes and gigabytes.
CDs, DVDs
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Compact discs (CD) and digital video discs (DVD) are portable storage media that store information by utilizing a laser to encode the information directly onto the disc material. The drive that reads it then uses the same encoding technology to retrieve the data. Compact discs can store an average of 650 to 700 megabytes of information. Digital video discs can store about four gigabytes of information, or eight if it is double-sided.
Floppy Disks
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Floppy disks are an extremely scaled down version of a hard drive. Instead of using a drum to encode information onto, the floppy disk uses flexible plastic or metal coated with iron oxide to store information onto it magnetically. Once you insert the disk into the computer, it reads the data magnetically. Floppy disks are still around but most people prefer to use a compact disc or flash drive instead. The main drawback of a floppy is that they only store about 1.44 megabytes of information, which is considerably less than any other storage media.
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