Linux System Administrators Guide:
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Chapter 5. Using Disks and Other Storage Media
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5.9. Partitions
A hard disk can be divided into several partitions . Each partition functions as if it were a separate hard disk. The idea is that if you have one hard disk, and want to have, say, two operating systems on it, you can divide the disk into two partitions. Each operating system uses its partition as it wishes and doesn't touch the other ones. This way the two operating systems can co-exist peacefully on the same hard disk. Without partitions one would have to buy a hard disk for each operating system.
Floppies are not usually partitioned. There is no technical reason against this, but since they're so small, partitions would be useful only very rarely. CD-ROMs are usually also not partitioned, since it's easier to use them as one big disk, and there is seldom a need to have several operating systems on one.
5.9.1. The MBR, boot sectors and partition table
5.9.2. Extended and logical partitions
5.9.3. Partition types
5.9.4. Partitioning a hard disk
5.9.5. Device files and partitions
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