CD-ROM XA

CD-ROM XA

A CD-ROM ( /ˌsiːˌdiːˈrɒm/) is a pre-pressed compact disc which contains data. The name is an acronym which stands for "Compact Disc Read-only memory". Computers can read CD-ROMs, but cannot write on them.

CD-ROMs are popularly used to distribute computer software, including video games and multimedia applications, though any data can be stored (up to the capacity limit of a disc). Some CDs hold both computer data and audio with the latter capable of being played on a CD player, while data (such as software or digital video) is only usable on a computer (such as ISO 9660 format PC CD-ROMs). These are called enhanced CDs.

The Yellow Book is the technical standard that defines the format of CD-ROMs. One of a set of color-bound books that contain the technical specifications for all CD formats, the Yellow Book, created by Sony and Philips, was the first extension of Compact Disc Digital Audio. It adapted the format to hold any form of data.