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File Processing Basics in C

The document outlines the data hierarchy in file processing, detailing characters, fields, records, files, and databases. It explains the concept of record keys for retrieving specific records and introduces file streams for communication between files and programs. Additionally, it provides instructions on opening and closing files in C, including the use of the fopen() and fclose() functions along with their modes.

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Amanda Williams
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5 views2 pages

File Processing Basics in C

The document outlines the data hierarchy in file processing, detailing characters, fields, records, files, and databases. It explains the concept of record keys for retrieving specific records and introduces file streams for communication between files and programs. Additionally, it provides instructions on opening and closing files in C, including the use of the fopen() and fclose() functions along with their modes.

Uploaded by

Amanda Williams
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

FILE PROCESSING IN C

Data Hierarchy:

a. Characters – letters, digits and special characters


b. Fields – group of characters that has meaning e.g. person’s name
c. Records – a group of related fields
d. Files – group of related records
e. Data base – group of related files

Record Key – a unique field in each record that is used to retrieve a specific
record from the file. Also known as the primary key.

Files and Streams

When a file is opened for use, a stream is associated with the file.

Streams are communication channels (interfaces) between files and programs.

Standard input stream – allows a program to read data from the keyboard

Standard output stream – allows program to write data to a screen

PROCESSING FILES

Open a file:

To open a file and associate it with a stream, use fopen().The general format of the
function used for opening a file is:

 FILE *cfptr;  /* declares the variable cfptr as a pointer to the file */


cfptr = fopen(“filename”,”mode”);  /* filename is the name of the file and
mode indicates how the file is to be opened */

Example: cfptr = fopen(“[Link]”, “w”) /* opens file students for


writing */

1
Closing a file:

The input output library supports the function to close a file; it is in the following
format. 
fclose(file_pointer); 

A file must be closed as soon as all operations on it have been completed. This
would close the file associated with the file pointer. 

Example: fclose(cfptr);

Mode Meaning

r Open a text file for reading

w Create a text file for writing

a Append to a text file

r+ Open an existing text file for update (i.e. read or write)

w+ Create a text file for update. If the file already exist discard its

contents

a+ Append: open or create a text file for update. Writing is done at

the end

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