A structured collection of data, stored and managed on an Apple mobile operating system, serves as a foundation for application functionality. This persistent storage mechanism allows applications to retain information between sessions, manage user data, and facilitate complex operations. A common example is a contact list, where names, phone numbers, and addresses are stored and retrieved.
Reliable data persistence is critical for a positive user experience, enabling features like offline access, personalized settings, and data-driven decision-making within the application. Historically, simpler methods were used, but evolving requirements for data volume and complexity led to the adoption of more robust and scalable solutions, increasing reliability and performance.