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Computer Science Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) and BLU Exercise 3.3
RAY
1. Explain the differences between
DVDs use a laser beam to read and
primary storage and secondary
write data. They are very similar to CDs
storage (auxiliary storage) in a
except that more data can be packed
FOR ONLINE READING ONLY
computer.
into the same amount of space. A DVD
drive can store 4.7 GB of data on one 2. Outline examples of common
side. Furthermore, some DVDs are dual- auxiliary storage devices and
sided and can store data on both sides. discuss their respective advantages
Some have dual layers, storing 9.4 GB and disadvantages.
and 8.5 GB of data, respectively. There 3. Describe the purpose and operation
are three basic types of DVDs: of cache memory in a computer.
(i) Digital Versatile Disc-Read Only 4. What is the difference between
Memory (DVD-ROM), volatile and non-volatile memory
(ii) Digital Versatile Disc-Read in a computer system?
Recordable (DVD-R), 5. What are the advantages and

(iii) Digital Versatile Disc-Read disadvantages of using solid-
state drives (SSDs) compared to
Rewritable (DVD-RW). hard disk drives (HDDs) for data
storage?
On the other hand, Blu-ray discs are 6. What is the importance of registers
high-density optical discs that can store in computer processing?
up to 50 GB of data. This is about ten 7. Differentiate between RAM and
times the capacity of a normal DVD. ROM and explain their importance
They are commonly used for high in computer systems.
storage demanding applications such as
games. Figure 3.31 shows an example of
the appearance of DVD and BLU-RAY Output devices
discs.
After data have been processed,
results should be presented to users for
consumption. The devices responsible
for presenting results to the user are
called output devices. Therefore, output
devices can be defined as peripheral
devices that the computer uses to give
DVD BLUE-RAY
out information after processing data.
Figure 3.31: Example of DVD and BLU-RAY discs Some of the most common output

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