Computer Knowledge

Computer File Systems

1,249 Questions

Computer file systems dictate how data is stored, organized, and retrieved on storage devices. Important concepts include file allocation tables, access mechanisms, and various formats like sequential and video files. Candidates preparing for banking and government exams should practice these fundamentals thoroughly.

File access mechanismsVideo and password filesFile extensionsFile allocation tableSystem metadata

Computer File Systems Questions

Multiple choice

A locked file can be

  1. accessed by only one user

  2. modified by user with correct password

  3. used to hide sensitive information

  4. none of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A locked file can only be accessed by the single user or process that holds the lock. This exclusive access prevents other users from reading, modifying, or accessing the file until the lock is released. Locking is a fundamental mechanism for protecting data integrity when files are being used by multiple concurrent users or processes.

Multiple choice

A large computer information system maintains many different computer files, which file is called perpetual file?

  1. Log file

  2. Master file

  3. Specialised file

  4. Update file
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In file organization systems, a master file contains permanent or semi-permanent data that changes slowly over time. Log files record activities, specialized files serve specific purposes, and update files contain temporary changes. The perpetual file is the master file as it maintains the core persistent data.

Multiple choice

All of the following statements concerning files are true, except

  1. A file is a collection of related pieces of information stored together for easy reference.

  2. Files can be generated from an application.

  3. Files are stored in RAM.

  4. Files should be organized in folders.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Files are stored on secondary storage devices like hard disks or SSDs for permanent retention, not in RAM. RAM is volatile memory that loses data when power is cut, making it unsuitable for permanent file storage.

Multiple choice

The purpose of a swap (or page) file is to

  1. maintain pages of documents that are being spooled to the printer

  2. hold a program's data or instructions in virtual memory when it can't fit in RAM

  3. prevent thrashing in a multitasking environment

  4. allow multiple print jobs to print their pages out simultaneously
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

A swap or page file extends virtual memory by holding program data and instructions that don't fit in physical RAM. When RAM is full, the OS moves less-used pages to disk, retrieving them when needed. This prevents crashes when memory demands exceed physical RAM. Option A refers to print spooling, C describes a consequence of insufficient memory, and D is about printer queues.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is false concerning file names?

  1. Files may share the same name or the same extension but not both.

  2. Every file in the same folder must have a unique name.

  3. File extension is another name for file type.

  4. The file extension comes before the dot (.) followed by the file name.

  5. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

In standard file naming conventions, the file name comes before the dot (.) and the extension comes after it (for example, 'document.txt' where 'document' is the name and '.txt' is the extension). Option D incorrectly reverses this by claiming the extension comes before the dot.

Multiple choice

Which of the following operations on file is the one in which file attributes remain the same, but the file has a reduced size because a user deletes information in the file?

  1. Creating a file

  2. Writing a file

  3. Repositioning within a file

  4. Truncating a file

  5. Deleting a file
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

This operation on file is the one in which file attributes remain the same, but the file has a reduced size because a user deletes information in the file.

Multiple choice

The outstanding invoice file should be stored on a Pardon Access Storage Device, if

  1. invoice data entry is online

  2. payment recording is done in a batch code

  3. inquiry concerning payable are to be answered online

  4. last record points to the first record
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Online inquiry requires random access storage that can quickly retrieve any record without sequential searching. When users need instant answers about payable accounts, direct access storage is essential. Batch processing can use sequential storage, but online inquiry demands immediate access to specific records.