An archive is a collection of records, documents, or digital data that are preserved for long-term storage, historical reference, or legal purposes. Archives can exist in physical or digital formats and are used to maintain important information over time.

### Types of Archives: 1. Physical Archives – Collections of paper documents, books, photographs, or artifacts stored in libraries, museums, or record-keeping institutions. 2. Digital Archives – Electronic repositories storing digitized documents, research papers, multimedia files, or datasets. 3. Institutional Archives – Maintained by organizations to preserve records of historical, administrative, or research value. 4. Web Archives – Snapshots of websites and digital content for historical preservation (e.g., Internet Archive's Wayback Machine).

### Key Functions of an Archive: - Preservation – Ensures long-term storage and integrity of documents. - Access & Retrieval – Organizes and indexes records for future use. - Legal & Compliance – Stores records for regulatory and institutional requirements. - Cultural & Historical Record – Maintains history for research and reference.