Definition
Object storage (or blob storage) is a computer data storage approach that manages data as "blobs" or "objects". It is opposed to other storage architectures like:
- file systems, which manage data as a file hierarchy
- block storage, which manages data as blocks within sectors and tracks
Each object is typically associated with a variable amount of metadata, and a globally unique identifier.
Object storage systems allow retention of massive amounts of unstructured data in which data is written once and read once or many times. Object storage is used for purposes such as storing objects like:
- videos and photos on Facebook
- songs on Spotify
- files in online collaboration services, such as Dropbox
Object storage composition
- ID: a unique key identify the object
- Data: the data content of the object, in blob format
- Metadata: attribute and extra information (file type, size, date, etc)
Example
- Google Cloud
- AWS S3
Google Drive is not technically a cloud object storage service, because it is oriented towards personal use and collaboration, with a file system-like interface (folders, sharing, synchronization), but internally it may use an architecture similar to object storage for file management.
- However, it does not provide the same APIs, scalability, and functionality as true object storage