Data storage

Lore & Background

Data storage encompasses a wide range of media, from handwriting and phonographic recording to magnetic tape and optical discs. Some consider biological molecules such as RNA and DNA as storage media. Recording can use virtually any form of energy, and electronic data storage requires electrical power to store and retrieve data. Digital data is stored in machine-readable formats, and computer data storage is a core function of general-purpose computers. Electronic documents can be stored in much less space than paper documents. Barcodes and magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) are ways of recording machine-readable data on paper. A recording medium is physical material that holds information. Newly created information can be stored in four storage media—print, film, magnetic, and optical—and seen or heard in four information flows—telephone, radio, TV, and the Internet. Digital information is stored on electronic media in many different recording formats. With electronic media, data and recording media are sometimes referred to as 'software.' With static media, art materials such as crayons may be considered both equipment and medium. Some recording media may be temporary, either by design or by nature, such as smoke signals or skywriting.

Reader's Guide

Data storage is fundamental to the preservation and transmission of information across time. The quantity of digital storage doubled roughly every three to four years. The growth rate of newly stored information was estimated at more than 30% per year. Data storage continues to evolve, with temporary media and biological molecules expanding the concept of what constitutes a storage medium.

Did You Know?

• Handwriting, phonographic recording, magnetic tape, and optical discs are all examples of storage media.
• Biological molecules such as RNA and DNA are considered by some as data storage.