What Is a File?
Files are storage units for data. They can take many forms including text documents, audio tracks, movie clips and computer programs. Files can be edited and transferred through the Internet on that particular computer system.
Different types of computer files are designed for different purposes. A file may be designed to store an Image, a written message, a video, a computer program, or any wide variety of other kinds of data. Certain files can store multiple data types at once.
By using computer programs, a person can open, read, change, save, and close a computer file. Computer files may be reopened, modified, and copied an arbitrary number of times. Files are typically organized in a file system, which tracks file locations on the disk and enables user access.
What Is a Folder?
Folder is a storage space used for storing files, shortcuts or other folders on a computer. In other words, a folder is the virtual location for applications, documents, data or other sub-folder.
Folders can store and organize different types of applications, files or libraries. Folders can also contain other folders, which in turn could contain other folders or files. Due to the manner in which folders organize and store data within the file system of the storage media, folders are also known as file directories or simply directories. There is no limit on the number of folders or sub-folders that can be created. Upon opening a folder, one can see how the data or files are organized.
Also Read: Difference Between Save And Save As
Difference Between File And Folder In Tabular
| BASIS OF COMPARISON | FILE | FOLDER |
| Description | Files are storage units for data. They can take many forms including text documents, audio tracks, movie clips and computer programs. | Folder is a storage space used for storing files, shortcuts or other folders on a computer. |
| Extensions | Files may or may not have extensions. They can have extensions to represent the program’s type they belong to. | Folders do not have any extension and inbuilt icon. |
| Size | A file size can range from several bytes to gigabytes or larger than that based on the amount of data it stores. | A folder has no size of its own. It derives the size from the files it contains. |
| Organization | The various types of organization of the files are serial, sequential, indexed sequential and direct file organization. | The folder does not have multiple organizations; it just follows a hierarchical approach. |
| Nature | The file cannot hold another file or folder. | The folder can hold the file or another folder. |
| Icon | Exhibits specific icons depending on the file type. | The folder does not have any inbuilt icon. |
| Creation | You cannot create any folder or sub folder within a file. | You can create different types of files or sub folders in a folder. |
| Operations | After creating files, you can easily open, save, rename, print, email and modify file contents. | After creating folders, you can move, rename and delete folders. |
| Sharing | Files cannot be shared on the network by themselves. | They can be shared on the network. |
| Attributes | File has Name, Extension, Date, Time, Length and Protection attributes. | Folder has Name, Date, Time and Protection attributes. |
Also Read: Difference Between DOC And DOCX
What You Need To Know About File And Folder
File
- Files are storage units for data. They can take many forms including text documents, audio tracks, movie clips and computer programs.
- Files may or may not have extensions. They can have extensions to represent the program’s type they belong to.
- A file size can range from several bytes to gigabytes or larger than that based on the amount of data it stores.
- The various types of organization of the files are serial, sequential, indexed sequential and direct file organization.
- The file cannot hold another file or folder.
- Exhibits specific icons depending on the file type.
- You cannot create any folder or sub folder within a file.
- After creating files, you can easily open, save, rename, print, email and modify file contents.
- Files cannot be shared on the network by themselves.
- File has Name, Extension, Date, Time, Length and Protection attributes.
Folder
- Folder is a storage space used for storing files, shortcuts or other folders on a computer.
- Folders do not have any extension and inbuilt icon.
- A folder has no size of its own. It derives the size from the files it contains.
- The folder does not have multiple organizations; it just follows a hierarchical approach.
- The folder can hold the file or another folder.
- The folder does not have any inbuilt icon.
- You can create different types of files or sub folders in a folder.
- After creating folders, you can move, rename and delete folders.
- They can be shared on the network.
- Folder has Name, Date, Time and Protection attributes.
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