Hard Disk Drive
A Hard Disk Drive (HDD) is a non-volatile data storage device that uses magnetic storage to store and retrieve digital information on rapidly rotating platters coated with magnetic material. It is a traditional electromechanical storage technology that provides high-capacity, cost-effective storage for computers and servers, though with slower access speeds compared to solid-state drives.
Developers should learn about HDDs when working with legacy systems, building cost-effective storage solutions for large datasets, or managing data centers where high capacity at low cost is prioritized over speed. They are essential for understanding storage hierarchies, backup systems, and scenarios where sequential read/write performance is acceptable, such as media storage or archival purposes.