We all heard about such a thing as information. It surrounds us everywhere; without it, our existence is impossible. But what do we know about the information itself, its types, methods, methods of its storage. And do we know the history of information storage facilities? Let's look at this issue in more detail.
Definition of Information
Before talking about storage devices, let's say a few words about the very definition of information. Then we will analyze the means of its processing and storage, and also briefly consider such a question as the history of information storage facilities.
To date, there is no one clear and generally accepted definition of information. Therefore, based on the many available concepts, we can say that information is knowledge or information about something or someone. This information can be collected, processed and stored, used for various purposes. One of the main operations that are carried out on it is its storage.
In this article we will consider the main types of devices, as well as touch upon such issues as means and methods of information storage.
Concept and types of devices
Information storage devices are
information media whose purpose is to record and store data.
In relation to computers, two types of devices are distinguished - external and internal. External ones include hard and magnetic disks, optical DVD and CD disks , streamers, flash drives. Internal devices are the computer’s random access memory, its cache memory, BIOS, and also CMOS memory.
The most famous means of storing information in our time are disks and flash drives. Next, we will talk about them in more detail and find out what their peculiarity is and when exactly they entered our lives.
Data processing tools
Before we talk about information processing tools, that is, devices that help us work with data, we will familiarize ourselves with important definitions.
Information processing is a change in data.
Means of processing and storing information are devices, computers: computers, laptops, which help to read and process data.
Sometimes, information processing tools can also include devices that help us read data, get acquainted with them.
So, the first devices for data processing can be considered music boxes and phonographs, magic lights and filmoscopes, a printing press. Later, new tools appear, such as gramophones, gramophones, radio, cameras, dia- and film projectors, typewriters. We are familiar with tape recorders and cameras, camcorders, scanners, televisions and printers, which also help us process information.
The first means of storing information
Now we will consider such a question as the history of information storage facilities. Computer science has been considering this issue since ancient times. It is believed that the first carriers were the walls of the caves, on which cave paintings were applied. The purpose of such inscriptions was to store
data, transmit it to their descendants. With their help, the main points of hunting, family life, beliefs and other significant events were conveyed. Over time, people began to use clay tablets and papyrus for these purposes, on which they already wrote hieroglyphs or letters. Then came the time and paper.
Much later, media such as punch card and punch tape appear. Further, in the mid-50s of the last century, they are replaced by magnetic tape. In 1969, the first floppy disk was invented, which was a breakthrough in the history of the development of information storage devices.
The most common storage media in our time
The history of the storage media that we use at the present time began in the second half of the last century. The most famous and used storage media in our time are CD and DVD disks and Flash cards.
CD media refers to optical information carriers that look like a plastic disc with a round hole in the center. Writing and reading data is carried out using a laser. It is mainly used for recording music files, images and documents. The average volume of the device is 670 MB. The date of birth of the disc is considered to be 1980. The authors of the idea were two companies with a worldwide reputation - Philips and Sony.
A DVD has the same appearance as a CD. The only difference is that its capacity is from 4.5 to 17 GB, which allows you to store quite large files on it. These drives have also been developed by Philips and Sony since the early 90s of the last century. The first disc was released in 1996.
USB flash drive - a device made on a single chip. It has a compact small size. The capacity of the device is from 2 to 512 GB. Allows you to store any files. These devices appeared in 2000, while the first carrier could only accommodate 8 MB of information. The invention is attributed to the Israeli company M-Systems.
Which media to choose?
Of course, the history of information storage allows you to learn a lot about them. Finally, let us say a few words about which storage medium is best. If we talk about data storage, the worst option is to store everything on a PC or laptop. Viruses, technical problems - all this can cause the loss of important information. In addition, having hacked your device, detractors quickly become familiar with everything that you store in the memory of your PC.
A fairly cheap and reliable way is to store on disks. But here it is worth to play it safe and write a few. Despite the fragility of disks, they can store information for more than 10 years. At the same time, we advise you to store data only on non-rewritable discs.
The last option is flash drives. But, despite their compactness, they are rather unreliable. Firstly, the drive life has not yet been set. Secondly, you risk losing data by connecting the device to a computer with a virus.
conclusions
So, the history of information storage facilities, briefly described by us, is quite interesting. We found out which of the devices is the most reliable and why. We hope this information was useful to you.