A CD burner is a device that allows users to write data onto a compact disc (CD). This process is known as "burning," where information such as music, videos, or files is transferred from a computer to the CD. CD burners can be standalone devices or built into computers, making it easy to create custom CDs for various purposes. Most CD burners use a laser to etch data onto the disc's surface, which can then be read by CD players or computers. There are different types of CDs, including CD-R for one-time writing and CD-RW for rewritable discs. This technology was popular for data storage and music distribution before the rise of digital downloads and streaming services.