A file is a collection of stored data on a computer. There are three main methods to access files: sequential access reads or writes data linearly from start to finish; direct access allows random reading and writing using addresses; and indexed access uses an index to map search keys to addresses, enabling efficient retrieval.
A file is a collection of stored data on a computer. There are three main methods to access files: sequential access reads or writes data linearly from start to finish; direct access allows random reading and writing using addresses; and indexed access uses an index to map search keys to addresses, enabling efficient retrieval.
A file is a collection of stored data on a computer. There are three main methods to access files: sequential access reads or writes data linearly from start to finish; direct access allows random reading and writing using addresses; and indexed access uses an index to map search keys to addresses, enabling efficient retrieval.
A file is a named collection of data or information stored on a computer's storage
system.
➢ What is File Accessing Method?
File accessing methods are techniques used to read from or write to files, determining how data is retrieved or stored within the file.
➢ Types of File Accessing Methods
1. Sequential Access Method:
- Data is accessed or processed sequentially from the beginning to the end of a file. - It involves reading or writing data in a linear manner, one after the other. - Each read or write operation starts from the current position and moves to the next position. - It is useful when data needs to be processed in a specific order or when the file is accessed sequentially, such as reading lines from a text file. - However, accessing specific data in large files can be time-consuming as the entire file needs to be traversed.
2. Direct Access Method:
- Data is accessed randomly or directly without the need to traverse the entire file. - Each record or block within the file has a unique identifier or address, allowing direct access. - Reading or writing operations can occur at any position within the file using the address. - It is suitable for situations where data retrieval or modification needs to occur at arbitrary positions, like in databases. - Direct access can be faster than sequential access for accessing specific data but requires an efficient indexing mechanism.
3. Indexed Access Method:
- An index is created to store the addresses or pointers of specific data within a file. - The index maps the key or search criteria to the corresponding addresses. - To access a record, the index is first consulted to determine its location in the file. - Once the address is obtained, direct access can be performed. - It combines the benefits of direct access with the ability to locate data efficiently based on the index. - Indexed access is commonly used in file systems and databases to enable efficient search and retrieval operations.