file
<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
