CD-ROM

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

CD-ROM
    n 1: a compact disk that is used with a computer (rather than
         with an audio system); a large amount of digital
         information can be stored and accessed but it cannot be
         altered by the user [syn: {CD-ROM}, {compact disc read-only
         memory}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

CD-ROM \CD-ROM\ n.
   a compact disk that is used with a computer (rather than with
   an audio system); a large amount of digital information can
   be stored and accessed but it cannot be altered by the user.

   Syn: compact disc read-only memory.
        [WordNet 1.5]

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

Compact Disc Read-Only Memory
CD-ROM
CD-ROM drive

   <storage> (CD-ROM) A {non-volatile} optical data storage
   medium using the same physical format as audio {compact
   discs}, readable by a computer with a CD-ROM drive.

   CD-ROM is popular for distribution of large databases,
   software and especially {multimedia} {applications}.  The
   maximum capacity is about 600 megabytes.  A CD can store
   around 640 {megabytes} of data - about 12 billion bytes per
   pound weight.

   CD-ROM drives are rated with a speed factor relative to music
   CDs (1x or 1-speed which gives a data transfer rate of 150
   {kilobytes} per second).  12x drives were common in April
   1997.  Above 12x speed, there are problems with vibration and
   heat.  {Constant angular velocity} (CAV) drives give speeds up
   to 20x but due to the nature of CAV the actual throughput
   increase over 12x is less than 20/12.

   20x was thought to be the maximum speed due to mechanical
   constraints but on 1998-02-24, {Samsung Electronics}
   introduced the SCR-3230, a 32x CD-ROM drive which uses a ball
   bearing system to balance the spinning CD-ROM in the drive to
   reduce noise.

   CD-ROM drives may connect to an {IDE} interface, a {SCSI}
   interface or a propritary interface, of which there are three
   - Sony, Panasonic, and Mitsumi.  Most CD-ROM drives can also
   play audio CDs.

   There are several formats used for CD-ROM data, including
   {Green Book CD-ROM}, {White Book CD-ROM} and {Yellow Book
   CD-ROM}.  {ISO 9660} defines a standard {file system}, later
   extended by {Joliet}.

   See also {Compact Disc Recordable}, {Digital Versatile Disc}.

   Byte, February 1997
   (http://byte.com/art/9702/sec17/art5.htm).

   (2006-09-25)