FILE

ORGANIZATION
FILES
• All data stored on computers are stored in files.
• Data is stored in an ordered way
• A collection of files is called a DATABASE
• Data stored in a Database is stored in a series of records. A record holds data on one item/thing/person.
• Data is stored on a storage media such an optical disk, hard disk, USB drive, Magnetic tape etc.
FILE ORGANIZATION

• File Organization refers to the way in which data is stored in a file and, consequently, the
method(s) by which it can be accessed.

• Files may be organized or accessed:

• Sequential
• Serial
• Direct/Random
• Indexed Sequential Access
SERIAL ACCESS

• Records in a file are stored and accessed one after another in the order in which they are
added. It is the simplest form of file organization. The records are not stored in any order.
• For example a file containing invoices of transactions. Invoices are added in the order in
which they are received, one after the other.

• To get to a particular file, one has to search through all files starting at the beginning until
you get to the file you need.
SEQUENTIAL FILES

• Sequential files are like serial files except that the records are held in a sequence. Files are
stored in order one after the other. For example, they are stored in ascending order or
descending order. Smallest to largest or vice versa.
• Examples Invoices that are stored based on customer number.
• Similar to serial File organization to get to a particular file, one has to search through all
files starting at the beginning until you get to the file you need.
DIRECT/RANDOM

• A direct access file organization , also call a random access organization allows the
computer to immediately access the location where the file is stored.
INDEX SEQUENTIAL ACCESS

• Almost similar to sequential method only that, an index is used to enable the computer to
locate individual records on the storage media. For example, records are stored
sequential. However, each record is assigned an index that can be used to access it
directly.