The term output file describes a file that data is read from.

The term output file describes a file that data is read from.

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I/O (input/output), pronounced "eye-oh," describes any operation, program, or device that transfers data to or from a computer. Typical I/O devices are printers, hard disks, keyboards, and mouses. In fact, some devices are basically input-only devices (keyboards and mouses); others are primarily output-only devices (printers); and others provide both input and output of data (hard disks, diskettes, writable CD-ROMs).

This was last updated in October 2008

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A data file is a computer file which stores data to be used by a computer application or system, including input and output data. A data file usually does not contain instructions or code to be executed (that is, a computer program).

Most of the computer programs work with data files.

Types of data files[edit]

Data files can be stored in two ways:

  • Text files;
  • Binary files.

Text files[edit]

A text file (also called ASCII files) stores information in ASCII characters. A text file contains human-readable characters. A user can read the contents of a text file or edit it using a text editor. In text files, each line of text is terminated, (delimited) with a special character known as EOL (End of Line) character. In text files some internal translations take place when this EOL character is read or written.[1]

Examples of text files

  • A text document (often .txt)

Binary files[edit]

A binary file is a file that contains information in the same format in which the information is held in memory i.e. in the binary form. In binary file, there is no delimiter for a line. Also no translations occur in binary files. As a result, binary files are faster and easier for a program to read and write than the text files. As long as the file doesn't need to be read or need to be ported to a different type of system, binary files are the best way to store program information.[1]

Examples of binary files

  • A JPEG image (.jpg or .jpeg)

Data file categories[edit]

Closed data file formats, frequently referred to as proprietary format files, have their metadata data elements hidden, obscured or unavailable to users of the file. Application developers do this to discourage users from tampering with or corrupting the data files or importing the data into a competitor's application.

Open data format files have their internal structures available to users of the file through a process of metadata publishing. Metadata publishing implies that the structure and semantics of all the possible data elements within a file are available to users.

Examples of open data files include CSV, XLS and XML formats such as HTML for storing web pages or SVG for storing scalable graphics.[2]

See also[edit]

  • Index file
  • Indexed file
  • Database
  • Serialisation

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Making sense of file transfers". Boston Globe (City ed.). 1994.
  2. ^ Research Data Management Service Group (n.d.). "File Formats". Cornell University.

What Does Read/Write (R/W) Mean?

Read/Write (R/W) refers to devices or storage media that can be read from and written to with data. This simple designation is part of hardware production and design, as well as computing system functionality and related devices.

Techopedia Explains Read/Write (R/W)

One way to describe R/W is as an open, dual functionality, versus read-only. Examples of read-only include files or systems that are protected with a read-only attribute that prevents end users from changing them in any way. Another example is an e-reader device, where individual e-book files are generally read-only.

The R/W dichotomy represents a very basic type of computer function. Even the most primitive computers had this built-in functionality, so that users could input data, enable computer operations and access data results. Over time, this has advanced into data and hardware environments where massive data centers work with advanced data analytics tools and systems to offer R/W functionality, as well as analytics.

What is an output file quizlet?

What is an output file? A file to which a program writes a data. It is called an output file because the program sends output to it.

What is a data file called?

A data file is a computer file which stores data to be used by a computer application or system, including input and output data. A data file usually does not contain instructions or code to be executed (that is, a computer program). Most of the computer programs work with data files.

When data is written to a file it is described as a file?

A file where the data are written is called as “output file”. The output file is created on the disk and allows the program to write data on it. The “output file” must be accessed using the file name and must be closed after the usage of the file.

What is a data file in computer terms?

data file. noun [ C ] IT. a computer file that contains information such as words, numbers, or pictures, rather than a computer file that contains a program: Back up all of your data files at least once a week.