Digital Audio Tape (DAT) is a digital recording format that was introduced in the late 1980s. It uses magnetic tape to store audio in a digital format, allowing for high-quality sound reproduction. DAT tapes are similar in size to standard cassette tapes but can hold more audio data, making them popular for professional audio recording and archiving. The format was widely used in the music industry and for broadcasting, but it faced competition from other digital formats like CD and MP3. Although DAT is less common today, it played a significant role in the transition from analog to digital audio technology.