Data Storage And Compression
Overview
A phone with 128 gibibytes of storage fills up faster than the number on the box suggests, and a photo saved as a JPEG is a fraction of the size of the same photo saved as a bitmap. Neither of these is a coincidence. They come from two ideas that sit behind almost everything a computer stores: the units used to measure data, and the algorithms used to shrink it.
In this lesson you will learn how to convert between binary and denary multiples of a byte, why files are compressed and the difference between doing so losslessly and lossily, how the run-length encoding algorithm compresses repetitive data, and how to calculate the storage a file will need before it is saved.
Objectives
- Understand how to use and convert between binary and denary multiples (bit, nibble, byte, kibibyte, mebibyte, gibibyte, tebibyte, kilobyte, megabyte, gigabyte, terabyte)
- Understand the need for data compression and methods of compressing data (lossless, lossy), and that JPEG and MP3 are examples of lossy algorithms
- Understand how a lossless, run-length encoding (RLE) algorithm works
- Understand that file storage is measured in bytes and be able to calculate file sizes
Lesson Note
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on Data Storage And Compression. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- How many bits are there in 1 nibble? A) 2 B) 4 C) 8 D) 16 Answer: B
- Which of these is the correct value of 1 mebibyte? A) 1,000,000 bytes B) 1,024 bytes C) 1,048,576 bytes D) 1,000 bytes Answer: C
- Which compression method discards data that cannot be recovered? A) Lossless B) Lossy C) Run-length encoding D) Archiving Answer: B
- A string contains the run WWWWWBBB (5 Ws then 3 Bs). What is the run-length encoded output? A) WWWWWBBB B) 5W3B C) W5B3 D) 8WB Answer: B
- Which file format is named by the Edexcel specification as an example of lossy compression? A) ZIP B) PNG C) JPEG D) TXT Answer: C
Available on the Green Bridge App
Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.
Available on the Green Bridge App
Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.
Recommended Books
Practice Mock Questions
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