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FILE
A file is a collection of
data stored in one unit, identified by a
filename.
It can be a document, picture, audio or video stream, data library,
application, or other collection of data. The following is a
brief description of each file type.
Documents include text files, such as a Word documents, RTF (Rich
Text Format) documents,
PDFs, Web
pages, and others. Pictures include
JPEGs,
GIFs,
BMPs, and
layered image files, such as Photoshop documents (PSDs). Audio files
include MP3s,
AACs, WAVs, AIFs,
and several others. Video files can be encoded in
MPEG, MOV,
WMV, or DV formats, just to name a few.
A library file is a unit of data that is referenced by a specific
program or the operating system itself. These include plug-ins,
components, scripts, and many others. An application is a program,
or executable file. Programs such as Microsoft Internet Explorer and
Apple iTunes are both applications, but are also files.
Files can be opened, saved, deleted, and moved to different
folders.
They can also be transferred across network connections or
downloaded
from the Internet. A file's type can be determined by viewing the
file's icon
or by reading the
file
extension. If the file type is associated with a specific
application, double-clicking the file will typically open the file
within the program.
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Computer Terminology
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