What is secondary storage?

• A. RAM and cache memory.
• B. Non-volatile external storage where OS and applications are stored when not in use like HDD, SSD, CDs and SD cards.
• C. Primary storage.
• D. Internal hard drive components.

Answer: (B)

Secondary storage is non-volatile storage that keeps data even when the computer is turned off, providing long-term storage for the operating system, applications, and user files. It is larger but slower than the fast memory the CPU uses right now (RAM and caches). When a program runs, its data and code are loaded from secondary storage into RAM to be worked with. Examples include HDDs, SSDs, optical discs like CDs, and removable media such as SD cards. This contrasts with primary storage (RAM and cache), which is volatile and loses its contents when power is removed. Internal hard drive components are part of a storage device, not the storage category itself, so they describe the hardware rather than the concept of secondary storage.