Which statement describes formatting?

The statement that describes formatting is:

“It is a process to create a file system in a partition or volume for file storage.”

This statement accurately defines formatting. Formatting is the process of preparing a data storage device such as a hard disk drive, solid-state drive, or USB flash drive for initial use. In the context of a hard drive, formatting involves setting up a file system (like NTFS, FAT32, or exFAT) within a partition or volume. This file system determines how data is stored and retrieved on the disk. Formatting is essential for a storage device to be usable by an operating system for file storage and retrieval.

The other statements do not accurately describe formatting:

• “It is used to boot an operating system by default.” This statement does not pertain to formatting. Booting an operating system is related to how the system starts and loads the OS, not to the process of formatting a storage device.
• “It is a physical section of a hard disk. It can contain an operating system to boot the system and cannot be subdivided.” This describes a primary partition, not the process of formatting. A primary partition is a segment of a hard disk that can be used to install and boot an operating system.
• “It is often used to organize data storage by subdividing it into as many as 23 logical sections.” This statement refers to logical drives within an extended partition, which is a method of organizing data storage on a disk. It is not a description of the formatting process.