# Understanding data stores

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In EventCatalog **data stores** represent data stores that are used in your architecture (e.g. databases, caches, object store, search indexes, etc).

Using the data store resource in EventCatalog you can define how your [services](/docs/development/guides/resources/services/introduction.md) read/write to data stores in your architecture, helping your teams understand how your services interact with data in your architecture.