1. Data Groupings: File File: a group of related records
Customer file, containing all customer records
Record: a group of related fields
Customer record containing name and address fields
Field: group of characters forming a single data item
“Smith”
Character: single symbol (letter, number, special symbol)
“A”, “7”, “$”

2. Data Groupings: Database
Database: collection of related tables, that serve the information needs of the organization
Table: a group of related fields
Customer record containing name and address fields
Field: group of characters forming a single data item
“Smith”
Character: single symbol (letter, number, special symbol)
“A”, “7”, “$”

3. Opening Files Specify file name and path (location)
Issue a file open command
If no input file is opened, input may be accepted from the standard input device (e.g., keyboard)
You must open both input and output files to be used, including printer output device
If no output file is opened, standard output device (e.g., monitor) may be used

4. Reading an Input Record
Reading the first input record is the last housekeeping task (sometimes)
Interactive application:
Interacts with users via keyboard or mouse input
Program pauses when the read command is executed until the user enters data
Delimiter: a character designated as a separator between data values
Prompt: an output statement that asks the user to enter specific data (usually from keyboard)

5. Reading (Input) a Record

6. Reading an Input Record
Input from a data file:

7. Checking for the End of the File
After reading a file – states no more data to input
For an interactive (keyboard input) program, EOF may be determined when:
User enters a predetermined sentinel value
User selects a screen option using a mouse
For input from a file, the input device recognizes EOF
EOF may occur on the first read
If there is data, each record is processed before the next read occurs and EOF is checked

8. Checking for End of File
No read before checking for EOF