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Definition: CD-ROM from Philip's Encyclopedia

(compact disc read-only memory) Optical storage device for computer data and programs. A compact disc, a CD-ROM can store more data and allows much faster access than a magnetic disk. Computer games, encyclopedias and other software are now available in this form.

CD-ROM

From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
Computer storage device developed from the technology of the audio compact disc . It consists of a plastic-coated metal disk, on which binary digital information is etched in the form of microscopic pits. This can then be read optically by passing a laser beam over the disk. CD-ROMs typically hold over 600 megabytes of data, and are used in distributing large amounts of text, graphics, audio, and video, such as encyclopedias, catalogues, technical manuals, and games. Standard CD-ROMs cannot have information written onto them by computer, but must be manufactured from a master, although recordable CDs, called CD-R disks, have been developed for use as computer disks. A compact disc, CD-RW, that can be overwritten repeatedly by a computer has also been developed, but due to its relatively high unit cost the format has not become widely adopted. The technology is being developed rapidly: a standard CD-ROM spins at between 240 and 1,170 rpm, but faster disks have been introduced that speed…
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Full text Article CD-ROM

From Britannica Concise Encyclopedia
Type of computer storage medium that is read optically (e.g., by a laser ). A CD-ROM drive uses a low-power laser beam to read digitized (binary) data that have been encoded onto an optical disc in the form of tiny pits, then feeds the data to a computer for processing. Because it uses digital data, …
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Full text Article CD-ROM

From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
Computer storage device developed from the technology of the audio compact disc . It consists of a plastic-coated metal disk, on which binary digital information is etched in the form of microscopic pits. This can then be read optically by passing a laser beam over the disk. CD-ROMs typically hold…
| 281 words
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Full text Article CD-ROM and DVD-ROM

From Encyclopedia of Computer Science and Technology
Schematic of the components of a CD drive. The...
CD-ROM (compact disk read-only memory) is an optical data storage system that uses a disk coated with a thin layer of metal. In writing data, a laser etches billions of tiny pits in the metal. The data is encoded in the pattern of pits and spaces between them (called "lands"). Unlike the case with a…
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Full text Article CD-ROM drive

From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
In computing, a disk drive for reading CD-ROMs. The vast majority of CD-ROM drives conform to the Yellow Book standard, defined by Philips and Sony. Because of this, all drives are essentially interchangeable. CD-ROM drives are available either as stand-alone or built-in units with a variety of…
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Full text Article CD-ROM

From The American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language
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Full text Article CD-ROM

From Dictionary of Computing
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Full text Article CD-ROM

From The Penguin Dictionary of Science
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Full text Article CD-ROM

From Philip's Encyclopedia
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Full text Article CD-ROM drive

From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
CD-ROM drive
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