File

In computing, a file is a named collection of data stored on a persistent storage medium, such as a hard disk, solid-state drive, or cloud storage. A file is addressed by a path within a filesystem, which provides organization, allocation, and access controls. The contents of a file are the actual data, while metadata includes attributes such as name, size, type, creation and modification times, and permissions.

Files are typically classified as regular files, which contain user data, and may be text or binary. Text files store human-readable characters, while binary files contain data in a format intended for programmatic interpretation. In addition to regular files, operating systems define other file types such as directories (containers for files), symbolic links (references to other files), and device files that represent hardware or virtual devices.

File operations describe common interactions: creating, opening, reading, writing, closing, copying, moving, renaming, and deleting. Access to a file is governed by permissions or access control lists, often specifying rules for reading, writing, and executing by users or groups. Files are organized within a directory tree, with absolute paths or relative paths used to locate them. Naming conventions vary by system, with restrictions on characters, length, and reserved names.

File management also encompasses integrity and safety practices, including backups, versioning, and, in some systems, journaling or checksums to protect against corruption. Beyond computing, the term “file” can refer to a collection of documents or records and the act of submitting or filing information.