13.1.1. What is a File?

A file is a named location on disk that stores data persistently.

A file can be thought of as a storage space on your computer that is identified by a name. When we say 'named location,' we mean that the file has a specific name and is stored at a specific place on the hard drive. The term 'stores data persistently' indicates that the information inside the file remains there even after you close the program or turn off the computer, unlike temporary data which disappears once the program is closed.

You can think of a file like a folder on your desk. Just as your folder can hold important papers (documents), a file on your computer can hold important information, like a report or a photo. As long as you don’t throw the folder away, its contents remain intact.

It can contain data in different formats such as plain text, binary, CSV, JSON, XML, etc.

Files can store data in various ways depending on how they are structured, which is referred to as the format. For instance, plain text files only contain readable text, while binary files contain data that is not easily readable by humans, typically used for images, audio, or executables. Other formats like CSV, JSON, and XML are used for specific types of data organization, making it easier to import and export data across different applications and environments.

Imagine you have different boxes in your room, and each box is used to store specific items: one box for books (text), another for toys (binary), and one for documents that follow certain rules or structures (CSV, JSON, XML). Just like you wouldn’t store a book in the toy box, certain types of data are stored in a format that best suits how they will be used.

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