Correct Answer : Direct access devices
A direct-access storage device (DASD) is another name for secondary storage devices that store data in discrete locations with a unique address, such as hard disk drives, optical drives and most magnetic storage devices. A direct-access storage device (DASD) is a secondary storage device in which "each physical record has a discrete location and a unique address."
DASD, pronounced DAZ-dee (Direct access storage device), is a general term for magnetic disk storage devices. The term has historically been used in the mainframe and minicomputer (mid-range computer) environments and is sometimes used to refer to hard disk drives for personal computers.
Hard disks hold more data and are faster than floppy disks. A hard disk, for example, can store anywhere from 10 to more than 100 gigabytes, whereas most floppies have a maximum storage capacity of 1.4 megabytes. A single hard disk usually consists of several platters.
