Which of the following best describes persistent data in computing?

Persistent data in computing refers to data that remains intact and accessible even when the system is powered off. This characteristic is crucial for applications that require consistent and reliable data storage, such as databases, file systems, and user data that must be preserved between sessions. Examples of persistent storage include hard drives, solid-state drives, and other forms of non-volatile memory.

The other options describe characteristics that do not align with the concept of persistence in data. For instance, easily deletable data would not be classified as persistent since it implies the data can be removed, erasing it from storage. Similarly, data residing only in memory is referred to as volatile, as it is lost when the system loses power. Finally, data that cannot be modified refers to read-only data, which is a separate concept that doesn't necessarily imply persistence; it might exist in temporary storage that loses information when power is interrupted. Thus, the correct understanding of persistent data is crucial for effective data management in various computing scenarios.