Storage Structure

Storage structure refers to the way in which data is stored and organized within a computer system. It involves the use of different storage media, such as hard disks and memory, to store and retrieve data. The storage hierarchy is a model that describes the different levels of storage used by a computer system. It ranging from the fastest and most expensive storage to the slowest and least expensive.

Storage Hierarchy

The storage hierarchy is organized in such a way that each level provides a different balance between speed, cost and capacity. The fastest and most expensive storage is located at the top of the hierarchy, while the slowest and least expensive storage is located at the bottom.

The storage hierarchy typically consists of the following levels:

Registers: Registers are the fastest type of storage in a computer system, but they are also the smallest. Registers are used to hold data that the CPU needs to access quickly, such as instructions and data being processed.
Cache Memory: Cache memory is a small amount of high-speed memory that is used to temporarily store frequently accessed data. Cache memory is faster than main memory, but it is also more expensive.
Main Memory (RAM): Main memory, also known as random access memory (RAM), is the primary storage used by a computer system. RAM is larger than cache memory, but it is also slower.
Virtual Memory: Virtual memory is a technique used by computer systems to extend the amount of available memory by using hard disk space. Virtual memory allows programs to use more memory than is physically available in the computer.
Secondary Storage: Secondary storage is used to store data and programs that are not currently being used by the computer system. Examples of secondary storage include hard disks, solid-state drives, and optical disks.
Tertiary Storage: Tertiary storage is used for long-term storage of data that is not frequently accessed. Examples of tertiary storage include tape drives and archival storage systems.

The storage hierarchy is organized in such a way that data is first stored in the fastest and most expensive storage, such as registers and cache memory, and then moved to slower and less expensive storage as needed. This allows the computer system to access data quickly when needed, while also providing a large amount of storage space for less frequently used data.