File Organization

        File organization can most simply be defined as the method of sorting storing Data record in a file and the subsequent implication on the way these records can be accessed. The factors involved in selecting a particular file organization for uses are:

Ease of retrieval

Convenience of updates

Economy of storage

Reliability

Security

Integrity

Different file organizations accord the above factor differing weightages. The choice must be made depending upon the individual needs of the particular applications in question.

We now introduce in brief the various commonly encountered file organizations.

Sequential Files. Data records are stored in some specific sequence e.g., order of arrival value of key field etc. records of a sequential file cannot be accessed at random i.g., to access the nth record one traverse the preceding (n-1) records. Sequential files will be dealt with at length in the next section.

Relative Files. Each data record has a fixed place in a relative file. Each record must have associated with it an integer key value that will help identify this slot. This key therefore will be used for insertion and retrieval of the records. Random as well as sequential access is possible. Relative files can exist only on random access devices like disks.

Direct Files. These are similar to relative files, except that the key value need not be an integer. The user can specify keys which make sense to his application.

Indexed Sequential Files. An index is added to the sequence files to provide random access. An overflow area needs to be maintained to permit insertion in sequence.

Index Files. In this file organization no sequence is imposed on the storage of records in the data file therefore no overflow no overflow area is needed. The index however, is maintained in stick sequence. Multiple indexes are allowed on a file to improve access.

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