Will an experienced computer user be able to give an interpretation of at least one of the components of the system? Every day we see a keyboard, mouse, monitor, but if we ask a question about what a computer device that allows reading, we can hardly guess right away. Although this mechanism is very well known to us.
The concept
Similar questions are encountered on the control in computer science. Moreover, even fourth-graders know the answers to them. Of course, not everyone, but they know. But experienced PC users who spend the whole day sitting at the computer can reinstall the operating system on their own and know how to run the command line, they are unlikely to immediately say what it is. In fact, a drive is a computer device that allows reading. Next, we will talk about it.
What is it?
Perhaps not all readers know what a drive is. Therefore, there will be more general information about this device. We will tell you why it is needed and where it is used. Just say that the drive has another name - an optical drive. This mechanism is used not only in PCs. It can be found in cars, players, and other devices that use discs. This is a computer device that allows reading. It combines mechanics and electronics, works with a laser, reads information from optical disks. There are a variety of drives that record data with the same laser.
Terminology
It so happened that the optical drive acquired a large number of names. As it is just not called in the modern world. In addition to official names, such as a drive, it can also be called simply a drive. It is only known that the name itself came from the English Disk Drive.
If translated primitively, we get a mechanism that sets in motion. As is clear from his appointment, he spins the wheels. Interestingly, the optical drive is not the only one of its kind, but the only one that is housed in modern computers. And then, if you look at the new models of laptops or netbooks, then he already disappeared from there.
Appearance
What does a computer device look like that allows reading and writing? It’s impossible to say that all drives are the same. It all depends on the scope of their application. It can be like a full-fledged mechanism, which is placed in the computer case. This is a one-piece option for laptops and netbooks. However, there are portable drives.
The interface for connecting the drive can be SATA or USB. Previously, on older systems, drives were connected via an IDE loop. These are the most common and known connection options. But there were others that few remember and know. A portable drive is connected via USB. It is not very popular, but it is needed by those who are used to using discs at work or for watching a movie. In addition, it is convenient that it can be connected to any PC.
Minor modifications affect the appearance. For example, more often the drive is represented by a tray that opens with a button. There is a computer device that allows reading and writing information with an open hole. Simply insert a disc there, and the mechanism will automatically “swallow” it.
Types
It is interesting that now there are a large number of types of drives. They may not even differ externally, but work with different formats. So, there is a computer device that allows you to read CDs. Or there are variations for Blu-ray, DVD, etc.
CD
The drive that accepts the CD is considered the most common and common. Previously, it was especially popular. Such a device may be of several subspecies. Firstly, a CD-ROM, which can only read information from disk. Secondly, CD-RW, which can both reproduce data and write information to disk.
DVD
This is another type of drive, which at one time was considered a shortage. When discs with the latest film industry news went on sale, this type became especially popular. This option also has several subspecies. There is a device for reading, as well as with the ability to write.
The only thing is there is some difference. DVD-RW, in addition to reading and writing information from DVDs, can do the same with CDs. Later, another type appeared - DVD-RW DL. This option did all the same as all the previous ones, but made it possible to work with two-layer disks, which acquired a large volume. There was also a DVD / CD-RW drive option. Such a computer device, which allows reading and writing, was also popular at the beginning of its development. Its difference was that CDs and DVDs could read the drive, but only CDs could be written.
Blu ray
The BD-RE optical drive is not known to everyone. He worked with Blu-ray. In this case, the disks were just a huge amount - up to 23 GB. Despite the fact that the principle of operation did not differ, there was still a difference. A shorter laser wavelength was used. The blue emission spectrum was also reduced. The protective layer of the disk itself has become larger. This was due to the need for reliable write and read protection.
HD DVD
After there was a combined version that worked with all types of disks. The exception was BD-RE. This option read and wrote all kinds of formats, which acquired a large volume.
Application
At one time, a computer device that allowed reading and writing was like air for every computer scientist. PC 90s could not do without a drive. Now the situation has changed. Of course, with its presence, the system becomes more flexible. But even the operating system learned to write to a USB flash drive, so as not to use the disk.
It was the flash drive that became the "killer" of the optical drive. Users prefer a small device that can be placed in a pocket or hung like a keychain. On a flash drive, you can repeatedly record information and delete. For this, special programs and tools are not needed.
“The final nail in the coffin lid” was the appearance of external hard drives. Their volume has become hundreds of times larger, and the application is simpler. At first, users had difficulty transferring the loss of a drive from laptops or computers. After they learned to use what was at hand. Now, hardly anyone will be puzzled by the lack of an optical drive. Although there are still people who are happy to buy a collector's edition of the game on disk or a music album in beautiful packaging.