A file is a defined element of storage that exists within a larger file system. Although there are a number of file operating systems, in general files share several important characteristics. Files are related bytes of data, defined as files because they are comprised of a single sequence of bytes of a defined length. Files may be stored in non-volatile memory regions (e.g., the disk drive) until called into the RAM drive. In most cases a file exists within a defined directory of files and is distinguished from other files by a unique name.

Analogous to a series of drawers and dividers in a file cabinet, a file system provides a higher-level system for organizing the specific files within the system. Hierarchical file systems organize files in multi-level, branching series of directories (e.g., Window's folder system). This hierarchy of directories...