Computer devices, documents, and various other items can be stored on computers and output to other devices for display, printing, and for review. Each one may have their own best form of output, but some may have several forms of output according to its purpose. A hand-held computer can have various forms of output. It could range from a USB connection to a wireless connection to the internet. A color photograph can be scanned into a computer with a scanner, or could be downloaded from a digital camera. A resume can be printed, faxed, emailed, or even mailed (USPS). A memorandum, statistical report, and a company annual report all can be printed, faxed, emailed, or even posted on an electronic bulletin board for all to view. The best method for any of these devices or documents would be determined by the user, with the user determining which methods best fit their needs for that application.
Primary storage is the memory device (RAM) that is accessed directly from the processor. It can manipulate data much faster within primary storage, but it cannot be saved in this form. This type of memory is considered to be volatile because it will loose all of its information once the power is shut off. .
Secondary storage can be of several different types, but will all be considered as non-volatile because it will retain information after its power source has been removed or shut off. Secondary storage could be a hard drive, a floppy disk, a CD ROM, a DVD ROM, or even a computer tape. The type of secondary storage used will be determined by the user.
A computer has several different types of storage devices. Each device typically has a particular purpose for being used as a storage device. A computer's hard disk is a magnetic type of memory used primarily to retain large amounts of information that has to be recalled on a regular basis. It also retains the operational software along with all of the other software stored here for the computer to recall as needed.