diff --git a/.zk/notebook.db b/.zk/notebook.db index 4fe28e6..c8e4980 100644 Binary files a/.zk/notebook.db and b/.zk/notebook.db differ diff --git a/zk/Magnetic_tape.md b/zk/Magnetic_tape.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4b5c1a9 --- /dev/null +++ b/zk/Magnetic_tape.md @@ -0,0 +1,37 @@ +--- +title: Magnetic_tape +tags: [computer-history, storage] +created: Monday, September 23, 2024 +--- + +# Magnetic tape + +Used for data storage in early digital computers (broadly from the +[UNIVAC](./The_History_of_Computing_Swade.md)) era until the mini-computer era. + +While the UNIVAC was not the first to use magnetic tape, it popularised the +method due to its success and high profile. + +![Magnetic tape reader in IBM computer](../img/magnetic-tape-ibm.jpeg) + +It worked as follows. The tape was a long, narrow strip of plastic coated with a +magnetic material. Data is recorded on the the tape by magnetising tiny +particles on its surface. It was first used in the 1920s for audio recording. + +Data is accessed in a linear, sequential manner. To reach a specific piece of +data, you often need to wind through all the preceding data + +It was used for long term storage rather than RAM memory due to its sequential +nature. It stored data and program instructions that would be read into the +machine's memory. Data was also written out to magenetic tape, in order to store +and further process results. + +It could store more data than punched cards and its sequential nature +accommodated batch processing well. However its sequential nature meant it was +slow at retreiving specific pieces of data as it would have to cycle through all +the values stored on the tape. + +![Magnetic tape stored as casette](../img/magnetic-tape-disk.jpeg) + +It developed from open-reel tapes to cartridges and cassettes. It was superseded +by hard disk drives and solid state drives.