As compared to RAM, a hard disk allows a slow rate of transferring and accessing the data. The limitations of HDDs include heavy power consumption and moving parts that can fail. Also, they have a better data storing capacity than other devices such as SSDs.

Hard disk drives are advantageous as they have a longer life span as compared to other data storage devices and are available in the market at affordable prices. A hard disk drive is capable of storing all types of data such as images, audio files, text documents, etc under a variety of file formats such as jpeg, png, WAV, mp3, mp4, MKV, WEBM, and many more. The data is stored in a hard disk drive in the form of a magnetic pattern. How hard disks (HDDs) work: A hard disk or drive makes use of the magnetization of particles to save data on its surface. The SSD not only houses the interconnected memory cells and circuit boards, but also adds a layer of intelligence with the flash controller. Multi-level cells (MLC) work in a similar way. In response, the control gate will record either 0 or 1 byte. In a single-level cell (SLC), the control gate (CG) will sense if a floating gate is charged with electrons or not. Memory cells may house one or more bits per cell.

As long as there is sufficient charge from the FG, the data retains integrity.

Semiconductors called floating-gate (FG) transistors transfer electrical charges to the memory cells, whether connected to an external power source or not (over time a powered-off SSD will leak energy). The memory cells act as switches to control the energy flow between the source and the drain terminals. Each transistor has two gates: one is a source that admits a current and the other is the drain that expels it. The memory cells are essentially transistors with floating gates. How NAND Flash SSDs Work: SSDs store information in memory cell arrays embedded on a circuit board. SSDs (Solid State Drives) are becoming the most desired memory options because they are faster, quieter, not susceptible to shock, have low power consuming and less accessibility time with higher productivity and reliability compared to HDDs (Hard Disk Drives).

Byte by Gaurav Mathur