what is flash storage

Flash storage is a type of non-volatile computer memory storage medium that can be electrically erased and reprogrammed. It is based on high-speed, electrically programmable memory and uses a type of non-volatile memory called flash memory. Flash storage uses memory cells to store data, and cells with previously written data must be erased before new data can be written. Flash storage can come in several forms, from simple USB sticks to enterprise all-flash arrays. It is widely used for storage and data transfer in consumer devices, enterprise systems, and industrial applications. Flash storage is a solid-state technology, meaning it has no moving parts, and it retains data for an extended period regardless of whether a flash-equipped device is powered on or off. Flash storage offers unique benefits to enterprises that are grappling with exploding data volumes and slow, unpredictable data access. It is often used in mass-storage devices, such as memory cards and solid-state drives (SSD).