Data Compact Discs

Data Compact Discs

Data compact discs, commonly known as CD-ROMs, are a type of optical disc used for storing digital data. They were first introduced in the early 1980s and quickly became popular due to their ability to store large amounts of data in a small, portable format. CD-ROMs are read-only, meaning that data can be retrieved from them but not written to them. The standard size of a CD-ROM is 120mm in diameter and 1.2mm thick. The disc is made of a polycarbonate plastic substrate, which is coated with a thin layer of aluminum or gold. The data is stored on the disc as a series of pits and lands, which are read by a laser beam in a CD-ROM drive. The disc spins at a constant rate while the laser beam moves across the surface of the disc, reading the data. CD-ROMs have been used for a wide range of applications, including software distribution, multimedia presentations, and archival storage. They have been largely replaced by other forms of digital storage, such as USB flash drives and cloud storage, but are still used in some industries where their durability and longevity are important.

optical disc, read-only, laser beam, polycarbonate, archival storage

— James Brown

CITATION : "James Brown. 'Data Compact Discs.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/data-compact-discs?E=313804 (Accessed on October 14, 2026)"