Module 1, Concepts of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

As well as speed, the storage capacity of a computer is also important.

• Computers usually store most of the files that make up programs and data on a hard disk. The larger the storage capacity of the disk, the more programs and data can be stored. Once the disk is full, no more programs or data can be added.
  
  
• A computer used for simple tasks such as word processing and e-mail would not usually need a very large storage capacity. A computer that is, for example, used for working with advanced multimedia software would require more storage space for programs and files.
  
  
• Computers often use a small amount of hard disk space to supplement their main memory, i.e. to store data that is currently in use. If the amount of free (or unused) space on the hard disk becomes low, supplementing the main memory in this way can become much less efficient. Therefore the capacity of the hard disk (or more precisely, the free space available on it) can also affect the computer’s performance.