File Handling and Applications

Question 1

Ascending order

Answer 1

describes the arrangement of data items from lowest value to highest.

Question 2

Backup file

Answer 2

a copy of a file that is kept in case altered values need to be restored to their original state.

Question 3

Batch processing

Answer 3

a data handling technique that performs the same tasks with many records in sequence.

Question 4

Binary file

Answer 4

a file that contains data that has not been encoded as text.

Question 5

Byte

Answer 5

a storage measurement equal to eight bits.

Question 6

Characters

Answer 6

letters, numbers, or special symbols such as A, 7, or $.

Question 7

Child file

Answer 7

a copy of a file after revision.

Question 8

Closing a file

Answer 8

an action that makes a file no longer available to an applications.

Question 9

Computer file

Answer 9

a collection of data stored on a nonvolatile device in a computer system.

Question 10

Control break

Answer 10

a temporary detour in the logic of a program for special group processing.

Question 11

Control break field

Answer 11

a variable that holds the value that signals a special processing break in a program.

Question 12

Control break program

Answer 12

a program in which a change in the value of a variable initiates special actions or processing.

Question 13

Control break report

Answer 13

a report that lists items in groups. Frequently, each group is followed by a subtotal.

Question 14

Data hierarchy

Answer 14

represents the relationship between databases, files, records, fields, and characters.

Question 15

Database

Answer 15

a logical container that holds related data that can easily be retrieved to serve the information needs of an organization.

Question 16

Default input and output devices

Answer 16

hardware devices that do not require opening; usually they are the keyboard and monitor respectively.

Question 17

Delimiter

Answer 17

a character, such as a comma, used to separate fields in a data file.

Question 18

Direct access files

Answer 18

random access files

Question 19

Directories

Answer 19

organization units on storage devices that can contain multiple files as well as additional directories.

Question 20

Fields

Answer 20

single data items that represent a single attribute of a record or class, such as lastName, streetAddress, or annualSalary.

Question 21

File’s path

Answer 21

the combination of the disk drive plus the complete hierarchy of directories in which a file resides.

Question 22

Filename

Answer 22

an identifying name given to a computer file that frequently describes the contents.

Question 23

Filename extension

Answer 23

a group of characters added to the end of a filename that indicates the file type.

Question 24

Instant access files

Answer 24

random access files in which records can be accessed immediately.

Question 25

Interactive program

Answer 25

a program in which a user makes direct requests or provides input while a program executes.

Question 26

Merging files

Answer 26

the act of combining two or more sequentially ordered files while maintaining the order.

Question 27

Opening a file

Answer 27

the process of locating a file on a storage device, physically preparing it for reading, and associating it with an identifier inside a program.

Question 28

Parent file

Answer 28

a copy of a file before revision.

Question 29

Primary file

Answer 29

a file that holds relatively permanent data.

Question 30

Random access files

Answer 30

files that contain records that can be accessed directly.

Question 31

Reading from a file

Answer 31

the act of copying data from a file on a storage device into computer memory.

Question 32

Real-time applications

Answer 32

describe applications that require a record to be accessed immediately while a client is waiting.

Question 33

Records

Answer 33

groups of data fields that go together for some logical reason.

Question 34

Sequential files

Answer 34

files in which records are stored one after another in some order and whose records must be accessed in sequence.

Question 35

Single-level control break

Answer 35

a break in the logic of a program based on the value of a single variable.

Question 36

Sorting

Answer 36

the process of placing records in order by the value in a specific field or fields.

Question 37

Text file

Answer 37

a file that contains data that can be read in a text editor.

Question 38

Transaction file

Answer 38

a file that holds temporary data used to update a primary file.

Question 39

Update a primary file

Answer 39

apply transaction to a primary file making it current

Question 40

Writing to a file

Answer 40

the act of copying data from computer memory into persistent storage.