File Maintenance is referring to the Backing up, Archiving, Securing, Encrypting, Protecting, Deleting and Maintaining Files on a Computer System.

What is a file?

A File is a collection of data or information that has a name, called the filename. Almost all information stored in a computer must be in a file. There are many different types of files. Different types of files store different types of information. For example, program files store programs, whereas text files store text.

File Types:

Batch file Same as command file, contains operating system commands
Binary file Contains data or instructions in binary format
Command file Contains operating system commands
Data file Contains data

Directory file Contains book keeping information about files that are below it
Executable file Contains a program or commands in an executable format
Library file Contains functions in object format
Map file Contains a map of a program
Object file Contains code that has been compiled
Text file Contains textual data, that is, data that can be read by humans

Deleting Files:

Definition: To remove or erase. For example, deleting a character means removing it from a file or erasing it from the display screen. Deleting a file means erasing it from a disk. Note that, unlike cutting, deleting does not necessarily place the removed object in a buffer from where it can be recovered. Also some programs only delete the file from the File Allocation Table part of the Disk and can still be recovered by some programs. There are also programs that actually write over the actual part of the disk where the file was located, and can be set to write over it many times, which then the file is safe guarded against restoration, for example, Eraser available for free.

You can Delete a file by being in Windows Explorer or in My Computer, then highlighting the file then pressing Delete key or pressing File in the Menu and then Delete or by Right clicking on the file and then Delete. You can also hold down the Shift key when deleting a file, but, BEWARE as the file will by-pass the Recycle bin and will be Deleted Permanently.

Backing Up and Archiving Files:

Archiving Files is the process of:-

1) Copying files to a long-term storage medium for backup which does not need to be instantly available. Large computer systems often have two layers of backup, the first of which is a disk drive. Periodically, the computer operator will archive files on the disk to a second storage device, usually a tape drive. On smaller systems, archiving is synonymous with backing up.

2) Compressing Files, into a Compressed format using a file compression program.

There are several programs that can Compress files and Programs, for example, Power Archiver "New Free Program" or Win Zip.

File Security

File Security refers to techniques for ensuring that data stored in a computer cannot be read or compromised. Most security measures involve data encryption and passwords. Data encryption is the translation of data into a form that is unintelligible without a deciphering mechanism. Many programs offer file security [see also: Protecting & Securing Files on a stand alone computer]. File protection methods range from allowing read only and assigning passwords to access the file to covering the write-protect notch on a disk and locking away floppy disks holding sensitive files.