File carving is a computer forensics technique to extract formatted files or data from a storage device without the original filesystem. It involves scanning the data and reconstructing files from file signatures, but can be complicated by fragmented files. It can recover data even after deletion or disk failure. File carving is a technique used […]
The au file format, created by Sun Microsystems, is an older audio format used by early personal computers and web pages. It uses u-Law coding and newer versions support other encoding formats. Au files have a header and can be opened by various programs, but may require conversion for newer media players. The format is […]
FAT is a computer file system used to store information about files, mainly on portable media. It minimizes the amount of seek required from a drive by storing information in clusters and directory tables. Developed in 1976-1977, it has undergone several advances and supports several gigabytes and even terabytes of storage space. FAT ensures quick […]
WAV is a common audio file format introduced by Microsoft and IBM in 1991. It is a lossless format that is easy to edit and manipulate. However, it is not practical for portable players due to its large size. MP3 has taken its place as a compressed, lossy format. WAV is still used for music […]
A file extension is a suffix at the end of a file name that tells the computer what program is needed to open it. It’s important to know common extensions like .DOC, .TXT, .JPG, and .EXE to recognize files and avoid malicious programs. Changing extensions can cause issues. A file extension is the suffix at […]
A file extension is a suffix at the end of a file name that tells the computer what program is needed to open the file. It’s important to know common extensions like .DOC, .TXT, .JPG, and .EXE to accurately recognize files. Showing file extensions can prevent opening malicious files, but changing extensions can cause issues. […]
The BUP file extension is used for backing up IFO files on DVD video discs. VOB files contain audio and video content, while IFO files provide details about the video content. The BUP file is a backup of the IFO file, ensuring the disc functions if the IFO file is damaged. BUP files are not […]
Text files store alphanumeric characters without visual formatting information. They are versatile and small in size, but lack formatting. Unicode aims to assign a unique number to every character used in every language on earth. Text files can also contain machine-readable text tags for formatting information. A text file is a computer file that stores […]
Illegal file sharing is the transfer of copyrighted material to unauthorized users, causing profit losses in the media industry. Penalties vary but usually involve hefty fines. The practice began in the mid-1990s and is prevalent in colleges and universities. Some regions impose prison sentences and fines, but fines are preferred. Penalties remain controversial, with some […]
TIFF is a bitmap image format developed in 1986 that supports various resolutions and is used for storing high-quality images. It has a 4 GB file size limitation, but a related format has been proposed to overcome this. TIFF specifies tags to store image information and supports various image types, including RGB, grayscale, and paletted. […]
An extension file system (EFS) manages files and memory on a hard drive using contiguous areas of memory called extents, allowing larger files to be stored in a single location and reducing fragmentation. This can increase speed and extend the life of storage hardware. EFS was originally used in the Unix-like operating system IRIX. An […]
An exe file is an executable file used to install and run programs, but can also be harmful if infected with viruses. It’s important to scan before clicking and keep antivirus programs up to date. Hacking an exe file is illegal unless it’s public domain software. An exe file (pronounced as the letters EXE) is […]
A flat file is an unstructured way of storing information in a database, often using CSV sheets. It can become difficult to manage and access large amounts of data. Relational databases are more commonly used, allowing for easier organization and connectivity between tables. Flat files have some uses for basic information and to avoid errors […]
CDA files are shortcuts that help computers play audio CDs, but do not contain the actual audio stream. They can only be played when the CD is present. CDA files are the standard format for encoding audio on CDs. PCM is the actual audio format used on CDs. Converting CDA files to compressed formats like […]
All computer data is stored in binary form. Binary files refer to files that store images and other non-text information. Text files contain characters represented by numbers in binary form, including formatting information. A binary file is any file stored on a computer or related medium. All computer data is stored in binary form, meaning […]
A file control block (FCB) is a data structure used by an operating system to maintain the state of a data file. It contains information about the file, including its name, location, and dynamic information such as the current address within the file being read. The FCB helps prevent conflicting operations on the file and […]
Log files store data and mapping locations in a computer’s CPU, including execution instructions for software programs. Decoders extract data from the registry, and log files use static or dynamic RAM with different cycle and access times. A log file is a storage medium within a computer’s central processing unit (CPU). Computer registry files contain […]
Transaction files store records related to entries in a master file, linked by a common key reference such as an account number. This helps keep master files small while allowing access to full transaction history for audit trails or reports. Corporate databases often use separate master and transaction files, with the latter containing sales or […]
A file signature is a unique identification number at the beginning of a file that identifies the type of file and can be used for verification against viruses. It emerged due to the need for a file header and can also contain information for error checking using a checksum. A file signature in computer programming […]
Dump files record events or transactions and are also known as transaction files. Detail files contain information fields and are stored and processed by a transaction processing system. They must be designed for fast processing, standardized, and accessible only under certain circumstances. Detail files can be processed in batches or in real-time depending on the […]
