What is a CD-ROM?

A CD-ROM is, in appearance, identical to an audio CD - a silver or gold disc, about four and a half inches (12cms) in diameter. The only difference between the two is the way in which the information stored upon it is written.

The title CD-ROM stands for 'Compact Disc - Read Only Memory'. In other words, with most normal CD-ROMs you cannot record onto them, you can only read data from them. In effect, it is another type of computer memory.

Contents: Using CD-ROMs

Skill Check: Using CD-ROMs