Optical disc authoring software is computer software for authoring optical discs including CD-ROMs and DVDs. They are also known by synonyms such as CD burning application or DVD authoring software. Such software is required to use an optical disc recorder.

Creating an optical disc usually involves first creating an optical disc image with a full file system designed for the optical disc, and then actually burning the image to the disc. Many programs create the disk image and burn in one bundled application (Quick Copy or Copy On-the-fly), such that end-users do not even know the distinction.

Disk file systems include ISO 9660 (often known simply as “ISO”) and Universal Disk Format (UDF). ISO is most common for CDs and UDF is most common for DVDs.

There are also packet-writing applications that do not require writing the entire disc at once, but allow writing parts at a time, allowing the disc to be used as a random access removable medium (somewhat like a very large floppy, though with unique constraints).

[edit] See also

• DVD authoring
• List of optical disc authoring software
• List of ISO image software
• Optical disc recording technologies