Salvestusmälu

Salvestusmälu, often translated as storage memory or simply storage, refers to the capacity of a device to retain and access digital data. This data can include operating systems, applications, user files, and multimedia content. Unlike volatile memory, such as RAM, which loses its contents when power is removed, salvestusmälu is designed for long-term data persistence.

The primary function of salvestusmälu is to store information that is not actively being processed by the central processing unit (CPU). When data is needed, it is retrieved from salvestusmälu and loaded into RAM for the CPU to work with. This hierarchical approach to memory management allows for efficient use of resources, as primary memory (RAM) is generally faster but more expensive and has lower capacity than secondary storage.

There are various types of salvestusmälu. Traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) use spinning magnetic platters to store data, offering high capacities at a lower cost. Solid-state drives (SSDs), on the other hand, use flash memory, providing significantly faster read and write speeds and greater durability, though typically at a higher price per gigabyte. Other forms include optical media like CDs and DVDs, and portable storage solutions like USB flash drives. The choice of salvestusmälu depends on factors such as required capacity, speed, cost, and intended use.