How do computers store and retrieve data?

Computers store and retrieve data using various types of digital devices, including hard disk drives, solid-state drives, flash drives, and optical discs. These devices use a combination of magnetic, electrical, and optical technologies to read and write data.

At a fundamental level, digital devices store and retrieve data using binary code, which is a series of 0s and 1s. Each 0 or 1 is called a bit, and eight bits make up a byte. These bytes are organized into larger structures, such as files and folders, which are managed by the computer's operating system.

When a user saves a file or performs another operation that stores data, the computer writes the data to the storage device. When the user retrieves the data, the computer reads the appropriate sections of the storage device and sends the data to the appropriate application or process. This process is managed by the computer's hardware and software components, including the storage device, memory, and processor.