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File size. File size is a measure of how much data a computer file contains or, alternately, how much storage it consumes. Typically, file size is expressed in units of measurement based on the byte. By convention, file size units use either a metric prefix (as in megabyte and gigabyte) or a binary prefix (as in mebibyte and gibibyte ).
Limits. While storage devices usually have their size expressed in powers of 10 (for instance a 1 TB Solid State Drive will contain at least 1,000,000,000,000 (10 12, 1000 4) bytes), filesystem limits are invariably powers of 2, so usually expressed with IEC prefixes. For instance, a 1 TiB limit means 2 40, 1024 4 bytes.
Computer data storage is a technology consisting of computer components and recording media that are used to retain digital data. It is a core function and fundamental component of computers. [1] : 15–16. The central processing unit (CPU) of a computer is what manipulates data by performing computations.
1 GiB = 1 073 741 824 bytes (= 1024 3 B = 2 30 B). The binary definition uses powers of the base 2, as does the architectural principle of binary computers . This usage is widely promulgated by some operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows in reference to computer memory (e.g., RAM ). This definition is synonymous with the unambiguous unit ...
A file may be designed to store an image, a written message, a video, a 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 ...
Thus, a representation that compresses the storage size of a file from 10MB to 2MB yields a space saving of 1 - 2/10 = 0.8, often notated as a percentage, 80%. For signals of indefinite size, such as streaming audio and video, the compression ratio is defined in terms of uncompressed and compressed data rates instead of data sizes:
File Allocation Table. File Allocation Table ( FAT) is a file system developed for personal computers and was the default filesystem for MS-DOS and Windows 9x operating systems. [3] Originally developed in 1977 for use on floppy disks, it was adapted for use on hard disks and other devices.