Computer Storage
Inevitable to modern computing, storage systems are used in all computing platforms - from large super computers to hand-sized devices, all store data permanently or temporarily. The first data storage was a punch card that that kept a few bytes; storage systems now topple multi-Terabyte capacities with comparatively less power and space consumption.
The computing storage term refers to:
The place that holds data in an optical or electromagnetic form for use by a processor.
Or
Components, recording media and devices which retain digital data to be utilized for computing at some time.
More formally, storage is divided into:
• Primary storage, holding data in computer memory (also known as RAM or random access memory) and other devices "built-in", like the processor's L1 cache
• Secondary storage, which retains data on tapes, hard disks, and other devices trough input/output operations.