soubor

Soubor is a Czech noun meaning "file" or "set/collection." In computing, a soubor is a discrete unit of data stored on a storage device and identified by a name and a path within a file system. A soubor contains data that can be text, binary data, images, or other content. It has properties such as size, creation date, modification date, and permissions. File types are typically indicated by their extension (for example, .txt, .jpg, .pdf), but the contents determine the file's format and how software may process it.

File systems organize soubory in a hierarchical directory structure, enabling users to create, copy, rename, move, open, edit, and delete them. Access controls regulate who may read or modify a soubor. Common operations include opening a soubor with an application, reading data, writing changes, and saving updates. Software may handle different file formats, encoding schemes, and metadata.

Beyond computing, soubor also means a collection or set of items or works, such as a soubor písní (a collection of songs), a soubor dokumentů, or a soubor artefaktů. The term emphasizes groupings rather than a physical object alone.

In practice, the concept of a soubor is central to data management, software interoperability, and information organization, with the precise meaning depending on context—computing versus general usage.