What best describes data persistence?

Data persistence refers to the characteristic of data that ensures it remains available and intact even after the application or system that created it is no longer running. This concept is crucial in the realm of computing, especially for applications that require data to be stored for future retrieval, such as in databases or file systems.

When data is securely stored in a database for future use, it means that the information is written to a storage medium (e.g., hard drive, SSD) in a way that it can be accessed and read after the program that created or modified the data has finished executing. This enables long-term storage and retrieval of data across sessions or use instances, reinforcing the idea of data persistence.

In contrast, the other options describe transient storage scenarios. For instance, caching involves temporary data storage that is typically cleared once the system is rebooted or after certain conditions are met, which does not support data persistence. Similarly, data that is lost after an application is closed or that is only accessible during processing time indicates that the data will not be retained beyond an active session or transaction, therefore lacking the fundamental aspect of persistence.