Python, along with databases like MySQL, are commonly used to store, retrieve, and manipulate data efficiently. Python, through libraries such as SQLAlchemy or PyMySQL, allows easy integration with MySQL databases. Files and processing systems are used for data storage but aren't as versatile and efficient for large-scale data management and retrieval. Tables are used to structure data in databases but are not standalone methods for data storage or retrieval. Therefore, the correct answer is "Python or DBMS like MySQL."