Which storage type is optimized for performance and scalability in transactional databases?

Block storage is optimized for performance and scalability in transactional databases because it operates at a lower level than file or object storage. It breaks data into blocks and allows them to be written or retrieved independently, resulting in faster access and lower latency. This is essential for transactional databases, where speed and efficiency are crucial for processing high volumes of transactions quickly.

Scalability is also a key benefit of block storage, as it can easily handle large amounts of data and adapt to the increasing demands of growing applications. It supports various storage configurations such as RAID, which can provide redundancy and improve performance.

In contrast, file storage is designed for storing data in a hierarchical manner and is not as efficient for random access patterns typical in transactional workloads. Object storage, while highly scalable, is typically better suited for unstructured data and does not offer the same performance attributes as block storage when it comes to transactional operations. Cloud storage is a broader category that can include various types of storage solutions and is not specifically optimized for the performance needs of transactional databases. Thus, block storage stands out as the most suitable choice for this specific use case.