Question: 1. Do you think file retrieval is different on a menu-driven system an

Question

Question:

1. Do you think file retrieval is different on a menu-driven system and a command-driven system? Explain your answer and describe any differences between the two. Give an example when each user interface would be preferred over the other.

2. Imagine one real-life example of each: a multi-file volume and a multi-volume file. Include a description of the media used for storage and a general description of the data in the file.

3. As described in this chapter, files can be formatted with fixed length fields or variable length fields. In your opinion, would it be feasible to combine both formats in a single disk?

4. Explain the reasons for your answer. Explain why it’s difficult to support direct access to files with variable-length records. Suggest a method for handling this type of file, if direct access is required.

Explanation / Answer

1)
The Difference is the Interface in which they are worked with, and how it is seen by the user.

2)
For a multi-file voulume a real life example would be a library or archive which contains books of many volumes in one organized room, for a multi-volume file, an example would be a box full of books inside a library in which people at the library are oblivious as to what the box has inside.

3)
NO, it is not feasible or possible to actually combine both formats in a single disk, because both are used in different areas or aspects, a variable-length field is used on frequently in files that are most likely accessed sequentially such as text files and program files, or files that use index to access their records while it is contrast to fixed-length fields

4)
Because it is hard to calculate exactly where the record is located as what's said in the reference book. If such is required then one should use the fixed-length fields because it can be easily accessed directly

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