file definition
<file system> An element of data storage in a file system.
The history of computing is rich in varied kinds of files and
file systems, whether ornate (e.g., Macintosh file system
for a well-known case) or deficient (e.g., many simple
pre-1980s file systems don't allow directories).
However, the prototypical file has these characteristics:
* It is a single sequence of bytes (but consider Macintosh
resource forks).
* It has a finite length, unlike, e.g. a Unix device.
* It is stored in a non-volatile storage medium (but see
ramdrive).
* It exists (nominally) in a directory.
* It has a name that it can be referred to by in file
operations, possibly in combination with its path.
Additionally, a file system may associate other information
with a file, such as permission bits or other file
attributes; timestamps for file creation, last revision, and
last access; revision numbers (a` la VMS), and other kinds of
magic.
Compare: document.
(1997-04-08)
Nearby terms:
fifth generation language « fifth normal form « Fight-o-net « file » File Allocation Table » File Attach » File Composition
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