CDDB

CDDB (Compact Disc Database) is a database for software applications to look up audio CD (compact disc) information over the Internet. The database is used to obtain the artist name, album title, track list, and other information about the CD. This information is used by media players and other software to display the details of the CD being played.

History

CDDB was originally created by Ti Kan in 1993. The idea was to create a database that could be accessed by software to retrieve information about audio CDs. The database grew rapidly as users contributed information about their CDs. In 1998, CDDB was acquired by Gracenote, a company that specializes in music recognition technology and metadata.

Functionality

CDDB works by using a unique identifier for each CD, which is calculated based on the number of tracks and the length of each track. When a CD is inserted into a computer, the software calculates this identifier and queries the CDDB server for matching information. If a match is found, the server returns the artist, album, and track information to the software.

Usage

CDDB is widely used in various media players, CD rippers, and other audio software. Some of the popular software that uses CDDB includes iTunes, Winamp, and foobar2000. The database allows users to automatically retrieve and display CD information without manually entering it.

Alternatives

There are several alternatives to CDDB, including:

• MusicBrainz
• FreeDB
• Discogs

Criticism

CDDB has faced criticism over the years, particularly regarding its licensing terms and the decision by Gracenote to make the database proprietary. This led to the creation of FreeDB, an open alternative to CDDB.

See also

• Gracenote
• MusicBrainz
• FreeDB
• Discogs
• Compact disc