Sekundäärivarastoinniksi

Sekundäärivarastoinniksi, often translated as secondary storage or secondary storage device, refers to any computer storage device that is not primary memory (RAM). Unlike primary memory, secondary storage is non-volatile, meaning it retains data even when the power is turned off. It is also generally slower and has a much larger capacity than primary memory.

The primary purpose of secondary storage is to hold the operating system, applications, and user data permanently or for long-term use. When data or programs are needed, they are loaded from secondary storage into primary memory for the CPU to access and process. This hierarchical approach to memory management allows for efficient use of expensive and fast primary memory while providing ample space for all necessary information.

Examples of common secondary storage devices include hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs), USB flash drives, SD cards, and optical media like CDs and DVDs. Network-attached storage (NAS) and cloud storage also function as forms of secondary storage, providing access to data over a network. The choice of secondary storage technology depends on factors such as speed requirements, storage capacity needs, cost, and portability. The evolution of secondary storage has seen a significant increase in density and speed, with SSDs offering vastly improved performance over traditional HDDs.