Explain how data storage and retrieval have changed over time. CHANGE IN DATA STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL OVER TIME Data Storage Data storage is a general term for archiving data in electromagnetic or other forms for use by a computer or device. Different types of data storage play different roles in a computing environment. Storage Devices A storage device is any computing hardware that is used for storing, porting and extracting data files and objects. It can hold and store information both temporarily and permanently, and can be internal or external to a computer, server or any similar computing device. History of storage devices Punch Cards A punch card is a piece of stiff paper that can be used to contain digital data represented by the presence or absence of holes in predefined positions Punch cards were the first effort at Data Storage in a machine language. Punch cards were used to communicate information to equipment “before” computers