Databases & Data Storage
Object Storage
Definition
Object storage is a data storage architecture that manages data as objects, as opposed to other storage architectures like file systems or block storage. Each object typically includes the data itself, a variable amount of metadata, and a globally unique identifier.
Why It Matters
Object storage is massively scalable and highly durable, making it the ideal storage solution for vast amounts of unstructured data like photos, videos, log files, backups, and data lake content. It is the de facto storage of the cloud.
Contextual Example
Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Service) is a leading object storage service. When you upload a photo to a service like Dropbox or Facebook, it is likely being stored in an S3 bucket or a similar object storage service.
Common Misunderstandings
- Object storage is accessed via APIs (typically HTTP-based REST APIs), not like a traditional file system that you can "mount".
- It offers "eventual consistency" and is not suitable for data that requires rapid, transactional updates, like a database file.