File Organisation and Structure

Question 1

Delimiter

Answer 1

a unique character that separates entries in a record, eg a comma

Question 2

Field

Answer 2

a specific piece of data within a record that state a feature of the thing

Question 3

File

Answer 3

a data structure used to organise data in a persistent form, a collection of records

Question 4

Indexed Sequential File

Answer 4

where records are stored in key field order, using an index structure to allow direct access to the data, very efficient for batch processing, allows faster access, but index takes up extra storage space and new records must be inserted into the correct place or overflow areas and indexes must be updated

Question 5

Master File

Answer 5

contains a record of all data as it was at a point in time, providing permanent long-term storage, used to perform batch processing operations such as billing

Question 6

Record

Answer 6

all data related to an instance of whatever the file relates to

Question 7

Fixed Length Record

Answer 7

records that have a fixed size that they will be stored as, far easier to program but often take up more space

Question 8

Variable Length Record

Answer 8

records that have a size that can be changed depending on how much data is store in them, far harder to program but often take up less space

Question 9

Sequential File

Answer 9

records are stored and accessed in key field order, used when all records need to be processed in one batch, eg bills and payrolls

Question 10

Serial File

Answer 10

records are stored in no particular order so to find a record you must start at the beginning and read each record in turn until you find the target, meaning searches are slow

Question 11

Transaction File

Answer 11

stores updates to the master file