CD-ROM is a —

CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory) is a type of storage device that uses laser technology to read data stored on a disc. It is not based on semiconductor, magnetic, or register-based storage. Step 1: CD-ROM uses a laser beam to read data from the disc surface. This is a defining feature of optical storage. Step 2: Semiconductor memory (like RAM or ROM) uses electronic circuits and does not involve light or discs. Step 3: Memory registers are small, high-speed storage units inside the CPU, not external devices. Step 4: Magnetic memory (e.g., hard drives) stores data using magnetic fields on a spinning disk. Step 5: Since CD-ROM uses light-based reading, it is classified as optical memory.