Applications designed to extract audio data from compact discs and convert it into digital audio formats are essential tools for digitizing music collections. These programs facilitate the transfer of songs from physical media to computer hard drives or other storage devices. An example would be using a program to convert a CD’s audio tracks into MP3 or FLAC files.
The ability to create digital copies of music provides significant advantages, including portability and archival security. Users can enjoy their music on various devices, such as computers, smartphones, and tablets, without requiring the physical discs. This also safeguards against loss or damage to the original CDs. This functionality emerged as personal computing became widespread and digital audio formats matured, enabling users to transition from physical to digital music libraries.