datacarrier

Data carrier is a term used to describe any physical object that can store or convey digital information. In information technology, data carriers are media or devices that hold data persistently or transport it from one system to another. They are distinct from data communication channels, though some carriers participate in transmission when used to move data between locations.

Common data carriers include magnetic storage devices such as hard disk drives and magnetic tapes; optical media such as CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs; and solid-state storage such as USB flash drives, solid-state drives, and memory cards. Historically important carriers include punched cards and magnetic drums. New approaches such as DNA data storage and holographic storage have been explored for long-term archival use.

Data carriers are used for backup, archival storage, software distribution, and data transfer. They typically rely on a file system or data encoding to organize and access information and may implement error detection and correction to improve integrity. The reliability of a carrier depends on factors such as durability, write/read endurance, resistance to environmental conditions, and data degradation over time.

Security and privacy considerations include physical protection, encryption at rest, and access controls to prevent unauthorized retrieval or tampering. Environmental impact and lifecycle considerations are also relevant, given the production, use, and disposal of storage media.

See also: data storage, storage media, file system, data integrity.