Lecturer Note by Dr. R.S.

Meena
Data Storage

Introduction:

The process of the storing data or any kind of relevant information in your computer is known as Data Storage. Data storage is a very important aspect of computer science . One can avail the data storage devices to accumulate facts and figures in one's system. Data storage devices hold information, processes information and are an excellent medium of recording. Data or Computer storage is a part of the computer components, which retains digital data for further computing.

Electronic Data Storage:

Electronic data storage uses electrical power to retain and retrieve its data. Electronic data storage stores its information either in analog or digital format. They are electronically encoded data stored by electronic means. The electronic data storage is permanent (non-volatile) storage, which means even after the power is switched off, the data remain intact. But electronically stored information is volatile in nature. Data Storage is devoid of barcodes and OCR data, which makes it easier to amend and ultimately making it cost effective in turn.

Types of Data Storage:

Data Storage can read and write information on the basis of storage devices. Data storage can be done by portable methods (simply replaced), semi-portable methods which requires mechanical disassembly tools or by inseparable methods which stands for loss of memory incase of any kind of disconnection.

Different Kinds of Data Storage

Primary Storage: It is connected to the central processing unit which retains information via Processor registers, Cache memory and main memory. Secondary Storage: It is long term storage device which uses the help of input and output channels to access information. Tertiary storage: This enterprise storage device is used in computer systems as well as in business computer networks. Electronic Data Processing The process of converting data into information Data Processing Information

Data consists of all sorts of facts in the form of figures, numbers, letters or words Information is the processed data, which is meaningful and useful. Processing is done by computer and programs. Characteristics of Data Processing able to handle a large amount of data able to produce accurate results able to provide high speed processing able to handle tedious work e.g. routine work on calculations, searching

Q. Distinguish among EDP, mechanical d.p. and manual d.p. Advantages of EDP High speed Accurate High storage capacity Automatic Reliable 24 hour service remote access and control Disadvantages of electronic data processing? Equipment is expensive Much money required to design special computer system Important data will be lost if computer breaks down Applications of EDP Payroll system A system that calculates wages and produces payroll sheets for employees.

1. 2.

Record the arrival time and the departure time every day. Collect and check the time cards to ensure their correctness at the end of each month.

3. into the computer. 4. 5.

Enter the data (time-in and time- out)

Calculate the monthly wages of all employees by the computer. Produce the payroll sheets for all employees.

Mailing list system A system that stores data and uses them to produce mailing lists and mailing labels. Ticketing system Point-of-sale system A system that transactions are entered at the point where sales take place and also updates sales and inventory data 1. Present the products required at the checkout. 2. Read the details of the products by a photoelectric bar code scanner 3. Identify the prices and the names of the products by the central computer. 4. Calculate and display the total price, update sales and inventory data by the central computer. 5. Print the receipt. Electronic funds transfer system A system that allows electronic transfer of money from one account to another. 1. Present the products required and bank card to a cashier.

2. 3. 4.

Key in the prices of the products and insert the bank card into a slot on the terminal. Key in personal identification number (PIN) by the customer. Transfer electronically the money from the customers bank account to the shopkeepers bank account.

Organisation of Information Files: graphic files, sound, midi, text, binary, document, program, system, data files anything which can be stored in backing store and with the following attributes: name and extension, length, date and time created/modified, access modes: rwdx. File,Field,Key, Field,Record A Data File A collection of related records. Record A group of related information stored in separate fields. Field A unit of information in a record. Key Field A field which is used to identify the record for location and processing. The two most commonly used files in a file processing systems are Master file: Contains data that are needed for relatively long periods of time. Transaction file: Contains data that are needed for relatively short periods of time. It is used to update the corresponding master file.

File Protection and Security Files should be protected from being damaged. The personal information stored in files should be kept confidential and restricted their use to authorised people only. File protection is necessary because files may be damaged in many ways: Malfunctions of the disk drive Destroyed by fire/water Lost by the suspension of the electricity supply Erased by users

 Destroyed by computer viruses Common methods to protect files File back-up File generation

File Back-up Making a copy of a file.

File Generation For sequential files, the grandfather-father-son technique is used to recreate the most updated master file by keeping the two previous old master files.

File Security In our society, peoples information is very confidential. Therefore, file security is valuable. Common methods for file security are Access control Data encryption Access Control Files can be protected by Putting guards in computer rooms and checking the identification of everyone admitted. Setting up a password system. Using a read-only disk. Data Encryption The process of converting readable data into unreadable characters.

Lecturer Note by Dr. R.S.Meena