A data file is a computer file which stores data to be used by a computer application or system. It generally does not refer to files that contain instructions or code to be executed (typically called program files), or to files which define the operation or structure of an application or system (which include configuration files, directory files, etc.); but specifically to information used as input, or written as output by some other software program. This is especially helpful when debugging a program.
Data file is a general term that refers to any computer file that holds data. Because these can be any type of data-storing file in a computer, data files are used by most computer users. Collectively, all of the data storage on a system is made up of files of various types. In business environments, a data file sometimes specifically refers to a database of business information, such as customer data or sales charts.
In general, data files are most often referred to as just "files." A data file comes into play when a piece of data must be stored or saved. Even when a user does not manually save a file, the computer may create temporary data files to make things faster for the user. This feature is most often seen used in web browsers that keep a data cache of website information to give the user quick access to the site later.
A data file differs from a program file; while program files feature executable program code, data files store data that can be called up by an application. Types of data files number in the hundreds. Common extensions include .xls, which refers to a Microsoft Excel® spreadsheet, and .efx, usually an eFax document. Program files are also numerous, including files that contain executable code include extensions .msi, the Microsoft Windows® Installer program file, and .dll, a dynamic link library file.
The data files can be stored in two ways:
- Text files.
- Binary files.
A text file (also called ASCII files) stores information in ASCII characters. A text file contains visible characters. One can see the contents of file on the monitor or edit it using any of the text editors. 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.
A file containing a C++ program
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.
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