Definitions[]
A file is
“ | a storage place for data . . . it's like a manila folder that contains all the data on a particular subject category in a computer.[1] | ” |
“ | [u]sually an accumulation of records or nonrecord materials arranged according to a plan. Sometimes an accumulation of personal papers so arranged.[2] | ” |
“ | [a] unit, such as a folder, microform, or electronic medium, containing such records, nonrecord materials, or personal papers.[3] | ” |
A file is "[s]torage equipment, such as a filing cabinet."[4]
Overview[]
On storage devices, there are typically two types of files: data files, such as text documents, spreadsheets, images, and videos, and system files, such as operating system and application binaries and libraries.