Exam-style question
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Explain why secondary storage is needed in a computer system. Include how capacity and speed of access can affect the suitability of a hard disk, optical disk or SSD for an application.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- Secondary storage is needed to store data and programs within a computer system.
- When selecting a medium, capacity and speed of access should be compared with the requirements of the application.
- An application requiring rapid access may be better suited to an SSD because an SSD has lower latency and faster transfer speeds than a magnetic disk drive.
- An application for which those speed characteristics are less important could be judged using the available capacity and the characteristics of the other media, such as a hard disk or optical disk.
Explanation
Why this works
A complete answer explains the need for secondary storage and makes a linked suitability judgement. The comparison must use the specification's stated factors of capacity and speed of access.
It should not claim that one medium is always most suitable.
Common mistake
No common mistake is linked to this question yet.