File Types and Data Storage Quiz

Types of Files and Data Storage in Computer Systems

• There are two defined file types for storing data for input or output in computer programs: text files and binary files.
• Text files store data according to a character code and can be created with a text editor.
• Binary files store data in its internal representation and are organized based on the concept of a record, which contains fields with values.
• For a text file, the number of data items per line and the number of characters per item must be known, or item separator characters must be used.
• For a binary file, the number of fields per record must be known, and the length of any string fields must be defined.
• A serial file contains records without any defined order, while a sequential file has ordered records with a unique and sequential key field.
• Direct-access files, also known as random-access files, allow access to any record in the file without sequential reading.
• Direct access to a sequential file can be achieved with a separate index file or by using a hashing algorithm.
• Real numbers can be represented in denary system using a simple or exponential notation.
• A binary code must be used to store a real number in a computer system, and fixed-point representation can be used to define the number of bits for the whole number and fractional parts.
• A text file is used for storing data to be used as input to a program, while a binary file is used for storing data to be used as output from a program.
• Serial files are used to record data in time order, sequential files are used for ordered records, and direct-access files allow random access to records.