Question

a. Define the components of Case’s model (i.e., Storage Space, Operating Space)

b. Describe how the components of Case’s model change from early childhood (e.g., age 6 years) to late adolescence (e.g., age 18 years). You must provide written descriptions and you must describe how the components of Case’s model change over time.

Answer 1

Computer data storage is a technology consisting of computer components and recording media that are used to retain digital data. It is a core function and fundamental component of computers.

The central processing unit (CPU) of a computer is what manipulates data by performing computations. In practice, almost all computers use a storage hierarchy, which puts fast but expensive and small storage options close to the CPU and slower but less expensive and larger options further away. Generally the fast volatile technologies (which lose data when off power) are referred to as "memory", while slower persistent technologies are referred to as "storage".

Functionality
Without a significant amount of memory, a computer would merely be able to perform fixed operations and immediately output the result. It would have to be reconfigured to change its behavior. This is acceptable for devices such as desk calculators, digital signal processors, and other specialized devices. Von Neumann machines differ in having a memory in which they store their operating instructions and data. Such computers are more versatile in that they do not need to have their hardware reconfigured for each new program, but can simply be reprogrammed with new in-memory instructions; they also tend to be simpler to design, in that a relatively simple processor may keep state between successive computations to build up complex procedural results. Most modern computers are von Neumann machines.

Primary storage: Primary storage (also known as main memory, internal memory or prime memory), often referred to simply as memory, is the only one directly accessible to the CPU. The CPU continuously reads instructions stored there and executes them as required. Any data actively operated on is also stored there in uniform manner.

Secondary storage: Secondary storage (also known as external memory or auxiliary storage) differs from primary storage in that it is not directly accessible by the CPU. The computer usually uses its input/output channels to access secondary storage and transfer the desired data to primary storage. Secondary storage is non-volatile (retaining data when its power is shut off). Modern computer systems typically have two orders of magnitude more secondary storage than primary storage because secondary storage is less expensive.

Tertiary storage: Tertiary storage or tertiary memory is a level below secondary storage. Typically, it involves a robotic mechanism which will mount (insert) and dismount removable mass storage media into a storage device according to the system's demands; such data are often copied to secondary storage before use. It is primarily used for archiving rarely accessed information since it is much slower than secondary storage. This is primarily useful for extraordinarily large data stores, accessed without human operators.

Off-line storage: Off-line storage is a computer data storage on a medium or a device that is not under the control of a processing unit. The medium is recorded, usually in a secondary or tertiary storage device, and then physically removed or disconnected. It must be inserted or connected by a human operator before a computer can access it again. Unlike tertiary storage, it cannot be accessed without human interaction.


Operating Space: An operating system is a large and complex system that can only be created by partitioning into small pieces. These pieces should be a well-defined portion of the system, which carefully defined inputs, outputs, and functions.

File Management
A file is a set of related information which should be defined by its creator. It commonly represents programs, both source and object forms, and data. Data files can be numeric, alphabetic, or alphanumeric.

Function of file management in OS:
The operating system has the following important given activities in connections with file management:

File and directory creation and deletion.
For manipulating files and directories.
Mapping files onto secondary storage.
Backup files on stable storage media.
Process Management
The process management component is a procedure for managing the many processes that are running simultaneously on the operating system. Every software application program has one or more processes associated with them when they are running.

For example, when you use a browser like Google Chrome, there is a process running for that browser program. The OS also has many processes running, which perform various functions.

All these processes should be managed by process management, which keeps processes for running efficiently. It also uses memory allocated to them and shutting them down when needed.

The execution of a process must be sequential so, at least one instruction should be executed on behalf of the process.

Functions of process management in OS:
The following are functions of process management.

Process creation and deletion.
Suspension and resumption.
Synchronization process
Communication process
I/O Device Management
One of the important uses of an operating system that helps you to hide the variations of specific hardware devices from the user.

Functions of I/O management in OS:
It offers buffer caching system
It provides general device driver code
It provides drivers for particular hardware devices.
I/O helps you to know the individualities of a specific device.