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Mass Storage Concepts
3
This chapter helps you understand some detailed concepts related to mass storage
(storing files, etc., on discs). You should read this chapter to understand how to better
use your mass storage devices.
Overview of Mass Storage Organization
(or "What Are Files and Volumes?")
As the term "mass" suggests, mass storage devices are designed to store large quantities
of data. Just how much data constitutes a large amount depends on the device itself.
Most mass storage devices are capable of storing on the order of hundreds of thousands
to several million items.
Mass storage devices are also called "secondary" storage media, the "primary" storage
being computer memory.
Because of this secondary nature, they are not generally
expected to be as fast in accessing their data as primary storage.
Besides having the ability to store data, mass storage devices are capable of providing
means for keeping data organized so that logical groups may be accessed systematically
and efficiently. The information on a mass storage device is organized into volumes and
files.
Mass Storage Concepts
3-1
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