Quick Reference Search Tool Webopedia Jobs Link to Us Advertising Tech Support Submit a URL Request a Term Report an Error Internet News Internet Investing Internet Technology Windows Internet Tech. Give Us Your Feedback Refers to various techniques and devices for storing large amounts of data . The earliest storage devices were punched paper cards, which were used as early as 1804 to control silk-weaving looms. Modern mass storage devices include all types of disk drives and tape drives .
Mass storage is distinct from memory , which refers to temporary storage areas within the computer .
Unlike main memory , mass storage devices retain data even when the computer is turned off. Very fast and with more capacity than floppy disks, but also more expensive. Optical disks have very large storage capacity, but they are not as fast as hard disks. In addition, the inexpensive optical disk drives are read-only . Relatively inexpensive and can have very large storage capacities, but they do not permit random access of data.