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#REDIRECT [[disk]] |
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Before the [[computer]] revolution, the term '''disc''' frequently referenced an [[analogue disc record]]: a flat vinyl recorded [[audio]] storage device, designed for playback on a [[gramophone]] (''phonograph'' in [[American English]]). [[Compact disc]]s have largely rendered the technology obsolete, except amongst [[audiophile]]s who specialise in using various sound technologies. And the term ''disc'' is also common for other flat, circular things, such as the [[Frisbee]] flying disc. |
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Early [[British Broadcasting Corporation|BBC]] technicians differenciated between ''disks'' (in-house transcription records) and ''discs'' (the colloquial term for commercial gramophone records, or what the BBC dubbed CGRs). |
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In the minutiae of [[computer jargon]], there also exists a distinction in [[English spelling|spelling]] between what is called a '''''disk''''' and what is called a '''''disc'''''. |
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Simply put, ''disks'' are any storage media which utilize electromagnetic platters to store data. They are susceptible to data loss when placed near magnets, and comprise the following family of storage media: |
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* [[Floppy disk]]s |
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* [[Hard disk]]s |
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''Discs'' are storage media which use the patterns of [[light]] bouncing off a pitted surface to store data. They comprise the following family of media: |
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* [[Compact disc]]s |
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* [[DVD]]s |
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* [[WORM]]s |
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A special kind of disc is the [[RAM disk]] |
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One reason for the distinction is perhaps that the [[compact disc]] was invented by Philips, a European company (hence using the [[British English]] spelling, ''disc''), whereas the [[hard disk]] was invented by [[International Business Machines|IBM]], an American company (using the [[American English]] spelling, disk). The distinction is mostly found in [[hardware|hardware documentation]] and is rarely maintained in [[software documentation]] for users, where ''disk'' is almost always preferred in the interest of consistency. |
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Another reason, explained in more detail in the external link, is that the audio field typically uses ''disc'', whereas computer circles prefer ''disk''. The CD was originally used solely for its audio applications. After the rise of the CD, some audiophiles began calling [[phonograph record]]s ''black discs''. |
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==External link== |
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*[http://www.bartleby.com/61/16/C0521600.html Usage note from ''American Heritage Dictionary''] |
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Revision as of 21:29, 27 September 2003
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