What is secondary storage?

Secondary storage refers to any non-volatile storage that retains data even when the power is turned off. This type of storage is essential for maintaining large amounts of data over time, as it does not rely on a continuous power supply to keep the information intact. Examples of secondary storage include hard drives, solid-state drives, USB flash drives, and optical discs.

The correct answer highlights the characteristic of secondary storage that distinguishes it from other types of storage, such as primary storage (like RAM), which is temporary and loses its contents once power is lost. By understanding that secondary storage is designed to persist and hold data long-term, it becomes clear why this option is the accurate definition. The other choices describe aspects of storage that do not apply to secondary storage or incorrectly limit its functionality, such as only supporting text files or being used for temporary data.