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? What Is A File

A file is a collection of data stored on a computer, which can include various types of digital content and is identified by a name and extension. Users interact with files through a logical view that displays their name, size, type, and contents, while the physical view pertains to how data is stored on the disk in binary format. File attributes provide additional information about the file, such as its location, size, ownership, and permissions.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
13 views3 pages

? What Is A File

A file is a collection of data stored on a computer, which can include various types of digital content and is identified by a name and extension. Users interact with files through a logical view that displays their name, size, type, and contents, while the physical view pertains to how data is stored on the disk in binary format. File attributes provide additional information about the file, such as its location, size, ownership, and permissions.
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What is a File?

• A file is a collection of data or information stored on a computer.

• It can contain text, images, videos, programs, or any type of digital data.

• Files are stored with a name and extension (e.g., notes.txt, image.jpg).

Logical View of a File

• This is how the user sees and interacts with the file.

• You see the file name, size, type, folder location, and contents.

• It hides the details of how and where the file is actually stored on the disk.

• Example: When you open a Word document, you see text and images – not the
binary data behind it.

Physical View of a File

• This is how the file is stored on the hard drive or memory.

• Data is stored as binary bits in blocks or sectors on the storage device.

• The operating system uses the file system (like FAT, NTFS, ext4) to manage this.

• It includes actual storage locations, addresses, and how blocks are linked.

Summary Table:

Term Meaning Seen By

File A container for storing data User & OS

Logical View How users see and use the file (name, content, location) User

Physical View How the file's data is stored on the disk (binary, blocks) OS/Hardware
File Attributes

Attribute Description

The identifier given to the file for recognition. Usually includes an


1. File Name
extension (e.g., report.docx).

Indicates the nature of the file, often determined by the extension


2. File Type
(e.g., .txt, .jpg, .exe).

3. File Location Specifies the exact location of the file in the file system (e.g.,
(Path) C:\Users\John\Documents\report.docx).

The amount of data stored in the file, typically measured in bytes,


4. File Size
KB, MB, etc.

5. File Owner / The user who created or owns the file. Managed by OS permissions
Created User and user accounts.

6. Creation
Timestamp of when the file was created.
Date/Time

7. Last Modified
Timestamp of when the file was last edited or changed.
Date/Time

8. Last Accessed The last time the file was opened or read (not necessarily
Date/Time modified).

9. Permissions Defines who can read, write, or execute the file (e.g., rwx in UNIX).

A boolean attribute indicating if a file is hidden from normal


10. Hidden Flag
directory views.

11. Read-Only Flag Indicates if the file is protected from being modified.

12. File ID / Inode


A unique identifier for the file used internally by the file system.
Number

13. File Attributes Metadata like archive, system, hidden, temporary flags used for OS
(System Flags) control.
Attribute Description

14. File Format /


Describes how data is stored internally (e.g., ASCII, UTF-8, binary).
Encoding

15. Associated Indicates the default program used to open the file (e.g., .pdf with
Application Adobe Reader).

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