Difference Between CDR and CDRW
Two classes of recordable compact discs are CDRW (CD-RW) and CDR (CD-R), the way they save data is the major difference between the two. Compact disks are the storage devices which are capable of data storing and playing movies and music. They must, however, use a disk drive to be accessed.
CD-R
CDR means compact disk-recordable. Like most CDs, CDRs can only retain somewhere between 700-800MB of data. One noticeable fact is that they can only be used for one time recording. After that, it becomes a read-only disc. The good thing is that most of the time, the data can be read by almost every player available, unless the data has been written in special manner.
CD-RW
CDRW, on the other hand, means the compact disc-rewritable. There is also has a memory of 700-800MB, yet it can be used again. Once it is wiped clean it can be used for re-recording. This makes it great for storing temporary data. CDRW also requires the more sensitive optical laser to be read. CDRW are usually used for frequent file transfers so that you do not need to waste CDRs.
The difference between CD-R and CD-RW
CDR and CDRW are just the two mediums of storage. Inspite of being outdated they are widely used. CDRs are primarily used for playback of film and music as well as for keeping back up of data whereas CDRWs are more commonly used for data transfer or storage of temporary data. CDRWs are costlier than CD-R because of the use of special materials. Common ground for both is the use of readers. While they can be read by almost any reader, there are a few CDRWs and CDRs these can be read only by special readers, This case becomes more specific if the storage is in the form of data instead of movies or music.
These two storage mediums have made our lives easier when the computer has become an important item in the household. Both are outmoded now but they will be in use for at least some of years from now.