Storage refers to the systems and devices used to save data persistently so it remains available even after power is turned off. Unlike memory, storage holds information long term, including documents, media files, databases, and application assets. Storage technologies include hard drives, solid state drives, network attached storage, and cloud based solutions. Storage performance affects application speed, availability, and scalability. Capacity, redundancy, and durability are central considerations when designing storage systems. Developers interact with storage indirectly through file systems, databases, and object stores.
Key Characteristics
Storage varies in cost, performance, and reliability. SSDs offer fast access times but may cost more per gigabyte, while HDDs provide large capacity at lower speeds. Distributed storage systems use replication or erasure coding to protect against data loss. Cloud platforms expose storage as managed services that simplify scaling and backups. Storage is also measured in terms of throughput and IOPS, which influence how quickly applications can read or write data. Understanding storage helps developers optimize latency, backups, and resource usage.