A CD/DVD drive is a hardware component in computers and some other devices that reads and writes data on compact discs (CDs) and digital versatile discs (DVDs). These drives allow users to play music, watch movies, and access software stored on discs. They can be internal, built into the computer, or external, connected via USB. CD/DVD drives use a laser to read the information encoded on the discs. While their popularity has declined with the rise of digital downloads and streaming services, they are still useful for accessing physical media and backing up data.