CD, Compact Disc

A compact disc carries the same kind of digital information whether it's intended to be read by a music centre or a computer.

The computer reads the files on a music CD the same as it does from any storage unit; and if it has the right electronics, it can play the music.

On the other hand, an audio CD-player can be ruined if it's exposed to files intended for a computer.

The name 'CD-ROM' stands for 'Read-Only Memory'

- i.e. you can't add any new files or change an existing ones -

and is an extra description to make it clear that the disc contains files for a computer and shouldn't be played on an audio set-up.

Otherwise a music CD and a CD-ROM are in practice the same thing.

'PC' and 'CD'


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