# quarter-inch cartridge

> magnetic tape data storage format

**Wikidata**: [Q1362537](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1362537)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarter-inch_cartridge)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/quarter-inch-cartridge

## Summary
The quarter-inch cartridge is a magnetic tape data storage format used for computer storage media, commonly known as QIC or Quarter Inch Cartridge Host Interchange Format.

## Key Facts
- It is classified as a magnetic tape data storage format
- It belongs to the category of computer storage media
- Aliases include Quarter Inch Cartridge Host Interchange Format, QIC, and Cartucho de un cuarto de pulgada
- The format identifier is fmt/508
- It has a Wikidata ID of Q15241312
- It is a subclass of multiple entities including Q3502645, Q66221, and Q105821643
- It has 9 sitelink counts across various languages including English, German, Spanish, French, Japanese, Dutch, Polish, and Portuguese
- The official website is http://www.qic.org/html/qicmatr.html

## FAQs
### Q: What is the quarter-inch cartridge used for?
A: It is a magnetic tape data storage format used for computer storage media to store digital data readable by computers.

### Q: What are the common names for this format?
A: It is commonly referred to as QIC or Quarter Inch Cartridge Host Interchange Format.

### Q: What is the technical identifier for this format?
A: The format identifier is fmt/508.

## Why It Matters
The quarter-inch cartridge played a significant role in data storage technology, particularly in the 1970s through the 2000s as a standard for backup and archival storage in business and enterprise environments. It represented a reliable, relatively inexpensive method for storing large amounts of data compared to other formats of its time. The format's standardized dimensions and compatibility across different manufacturers made it a popular choice for organizations needing consistent data storage solutions. Its development and widespread adoption helped establish magnetic tape as a viable medium for computer data storage, contributing to the evolution of data management practices in the computing industry.

## Notable For
- It was a widely used magnetic tape storage format for computer data
- It had standardized dimensions and was compatible across different manufacturers
- It was commonly used for backup and archival purposes in business and enterprise environments
- It represented a cost-effective solution for storing large amounts of data
- It was part of the broader category of computer storage media

## Body
### Technical Specifications
The quarter-inch cartridge, also known as QIC or Quarter Inch Cartridge Host Interchange Format, is a magnetic tape data storage format. It belongs to the class of computer storage media used for storing digital data readable by computers. The format has standardized dimensions and was designed to provide reliable data storage capabilities.

### Classification and Relationships
From a classification perspective, the quarter-inch cartridge is a subclass of several entities including Q3502645, Q66221, and Q105821643. It is categorized under the broader category of magnetic tape data storage formats. The format has been documented across multiple languages including English, German, Spanish, French, Japanese, Dutch, Polish, and Portuguese, as indicated by its 9 sitelink counts.

### Historical Context
The quarter-inch cartridge emerged as a standard data storage format during the era when magnetic tape was a primary medium for computer data storage. Its development helped establish magnetic tape as a viable alternative to other storage technologies of the time. The format's compatibility across different manufacturers made it a popular choice for organizations needing consistent data storage solutions.

### Technical Details
The format identifier for the quarter-inch cartridge is fmt/508, as indicated by the P2748 property. The official website for the format is http://www.qic.org/html/qicmatr.html, providing additional resources and information about the technology. The format has been referenced in academic sources and is documented in Wikidata with the ID Q15241312.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013