What part of a computer is responsible for reading and writing data?

The component responsible for reading and writing data in a computer is the storage device. Storage devices, such as hard drives, solid-state drives, and flash drives, are specifically designed to save and retrieve digital information. They allow for long-term data persistence, enabling users to store files, applications, and system data even when the computer is powered off.

The CPU, or Central Processing Unit, primarily executes instructions and performs calculations, while memory, often referred to as RAM, temporarily holds data and instructions that are actively being used or processed. The operating system manages hardware and software resources but does not directly perform the reading and writing of data; instead, it provides the necessary interface for storage devices to interact with the CPU and memory.