file structure

In computing, a file structure refers to the way data is organized and stored for efficient access and retrieval. Digital information can be stored as either "structured" data, like inventories, or "unstructured" data, such as documents or images.1

Different file structures are suited for various tasks. Simple structures, like linear arrays, store elements sequentially and access them via numbers. More complex structures use "pointers" to link data items stored non-consecutively in memory.2

Common structures include:
* Sequential files: Stored as an ordered sequence of records, often used with document-retrieval software.1
* Chained structures (hierarchical and network): Records are arranged in tree-like or interconnected groupings, with pointers indicating relationships.1
* Relational structures: Data is organized into two-dimensional tables (rows and columns), allowing for flexible handling of data relationships without pointers.13

The choice of structure depends on the relationships between data elements and the specific information-processing needs.1