Definition

1. Noun:
   • A set of related records (either written or electronic) kept together: A data file is a collection of information, organized as a single unit, that is stored on a computer or in a physical format. The records within it are related by a common purpose or structure.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The program saves your work in a single data file.
  • I need to back up the customer data file before updating the software.
  • The researcher analyzed the information contained in the large data file.

Advanced Usage

• "To create a data file": The act of generating a new, structured collection of records.
  • First, you must create a data file to store the experiment results.
• "To access a data file": To open or retrieve a stored collection of records for use.
  • The application cannot run without being able to access the configuration data file.
• "Corrupted data file": A file whose structure or content has been damaged and may be unreadable.
  • The system crash resulted in a corrupted data file.

Variants and Related Words

• File (n): A more general term for any collection of data or information stored under a single name. A is a specific type of file.
  • I moved the text file and the image file to a new folder.
• Database (n): A structured set of data held in a computer, often consisting of multiple interrelated or tables.
  • The company's customer information is stored in a central database.

Synonyms

• Data set: A collection of related data points, often used in statistical or computational contexts.
• Record file: A file containing a series of entries or records.

Related Phrases

• Flat file: A type of that stores data in a plain text format, often with one record per line.
  • The data was imported from a simple flat file.
• Master file: A primary containing important, authoritative records that are used as a key reference.
  • Changes to employee records must be made in the master file.

Noun

1. a set of related records (either written or electronic) kept together