Storing Data
Computing: Year 5 & 6 National Curriculum, topic 1.2.1
Storing Data
An important use of IT (Information Technology) is handling data (the information). We can store it, sort data and use data to answer questions.
Physical stores
- Information used to have to be stored in physical stores.
- E.g. libraries, rooms, filing cabinets, photograph albums, shelves of books, recordings, etc.
Disadvantages of physical stores
- Physical stores can take up a lot of space.
- Physical stores can be lost through accidents such as a fire.
Digital stores
- Information can be stored digitally (on computers).
- Text, pictures, and music can all be turned into digital information.
- Then, we can store them on a computer.
Advantages of digital stores
- Storing information digitally saves space.
- Digital information can be searched quickly.
- Digital information can be shared around the globe.
Test yourself on Storing Data
Where was information commonly stored before digital stores became popular?