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Methods of File Access

File organization involves arranging data into records and pages on secondary storage. There are different access methods for storing and retrieving records from a file. Serial file access stores data chronologically without order, using a pointer to find positions. Sequential file access stores records in key-value order and allows binary searching by key. Indexed sequential access also stores in key-value order, with an index file containing keys and page addresses held in memory for fast retrieval of individual records. It supports both high and low hit-rate applications.

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Lenon Farayi Sigauke
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48 views2 pages

Methods of File Access

File organization involves arranging data into records and pages on secondary storage. There are different access methods for storing and retrieving records from a file. Serial file access stores data chronologically without order, using a pointer to find positions. Sequential file access stores records in key-value order and allows binary searching by key. Indexed sequential access also stores in key-value order, with an index file containing keys and page addresses held in memory for fast retrieval of individual records. It supports both high and low hit-rate applications.

Uploaded by

Lenon Farayi Sigauke
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Methods of File Access

File Organisation is defined as


y

the physical arrangement of data in a file into records and pages on secondary storage

Access Method is defined as


y

the steps involved in storing and retrieving records from a file

Serial File Access


Serial files are used as transaction files to store day to day data (eg overtime, sales etc)

(The data is not organised in any particular order)


y y y

Data is stored in Chronological order o (i.e. as written to disk 1st entry at start to Last entry at end) A pointer is used to find the position in a file. New data appended to end of file.

Sequential File Access


y y

Records are stored in key value order A Binary search is done for retrieval of data by using the key value

Indexed Sequential File Access Records stored in indexed key value order
y

An index is a file with 2 fields:

1. the key value 2. the page address.


y

The Index is held in main memory.

y y

If the index too large then multi-level index used Specialised data structures that facilitate search are used for indexes

Advantages of Indexed Sequential File Access


y y y

Sequential file organisation (in key value order) supports high hit-rate applications.

Index allows fast retrieval of individual records Supports low hit-rate applications.

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