USB flash drive always plugged in to computer, will it loose data?

[Computing_Now]

If you have a usb flash drive with files on it (ie. using it to add extra storage to a computer) always connected to a computer will it loose data over a while the same way it can if left on a shelf for extended periods etc.

 

[bailojustin]

Negative it should have 0 play on the usb, as long as your not doing constant read/writes to the usb to provoke failure. if anything it would be worse

also, every usb will fail eventually.

How says flash drives can last up to ten years, but as mentioned on NYTimes.com, flash memory doesn’t usually degrade because of its age, but rather because of the number of write cycles, which means the more you delete and write new information, the more quickly the memory in the device will start to degrade. Since all these devices are similar in that they all use flash memory, they’ll all degrade in a similar fashion. However, one thing is certain: better hardware will pay off. Given the variety of manufacturers, lifespan might differ quite a bit from one device to another, but flash memory devices rated for more write cycles will usually last longer. When it comes to flash drives and SD cards, you’ll likely lose them or ruin them in the washing machine before anything else happens. source

 

[Computing_Now]

Ok thanks, I know about the type or writing wear/cycles.

But I read not to use a usb flash drive for backup as some can loose the data after a while even if the flash drive is still good to use.

Will this still happen if they are powered by being plugged in all the time? Compared to using an ssd or hdd for computer storage instead.

 

[Shaun o]

Flash nand memory chips and how they write and read data to the Nand storage chip on them.

Use multiple voltage levels, when told to read, or write data a higher or lower pulse of voltage is sent.

If you can imagine for example 5v pulse = 1 and a voltage or current pulsed of 2.5v= 0

As the value then rapidly switching between 5v and 2.5 volts in a sequence would write a bit of data.

In binary example :5v, 5v ,2.5v.5v
In binary would be 1101. or a bit of data.

When you format a drive or a flash device it may send a voltage or a pulse of 1v to format the whole nand memory chip.
It why as a practice they always state after writing data to a flash drive that you never leave it connected to the system due to any power surges or glitches the Psu of the system may have.
Or leave the usb flash drive connected 24/7 to the system or usb port of it.

 

[Computing_Now]

So do they have more circuitry in ssds that prevents problems like that?

I was really thinking about adding a 128gb usb flash drive to a mini ssd only computer to expand the ssd space for more files like music. So it wouldn't be a good use of a usb flash drive?