compact disc

A compact disc (CD) is a small, round, flat disk used to store digital information such as music, data, or software. It uses laser technology to read tiny pits and land areas on its surface, which represent binary data (0s and 1s). When inserted into a CD player or computer drive, the laser detects these patterns and converts them back into sound, images, or files. CDs offer high-quality, portable, and durable storage, making them popular for music and data transfer before digital downloads and streaming became common.