Magnetic Disk:

The age of the personal computer has seen the development of ever-more-compact data storage systems. One of the most multitalented is the magnetic disk. This disk can be either flexible or rigid. Disks are available in different sizes. Hard disks (also termed as hard drives) store the most data and normally are found inside computer units. The diskettes are generally 3.5 inches (i.e., 8.9 cm) in diameter and can be inserted and eliminated from the digital recording or playback machines known as disk drives.

The principle of the magnetic disk, on the micro scale, is similar as that of magnetic tape. Though disk data is stored in binary form; which is, there are only two various ways that the particles are magnetized. This outcome is almost perfect, error-free storage. On a larger scale, the disk works differently than tape since of the dissimilarity in geometry. On a tape, the information is spread out over a long span, and few bits of data are far away from others. On a disk, no two bits are still farther separate than the diameter of the disk. Hence, data can be transferred to or from a disk more quickly than is possible with tape.

A classic diskette can store a quantity of digital information equal to a short novel. The specialized high-capacity diskettes can store the equivalent of hundreds of extended novels or even a whole encyclopedia.

The similar precautions must be observed whenever handling and storing magnetic disks as are essential with magnetic tape.