Files and file systems

Integrated file system

Files in the operating system are significantly different from their counterparts in the UNIX and Windows operating systems. In the operating system, a file is another kind of object on your system. Each file has a description that describes its characteristics and how the data associated with the file is organized. Whenever the operating system processes a file, it uses this description.

In addition to differences in handling files, the operating system also uses unique structures to store the files and other objects on the system. However, the integrated file system in System i® Navigator might look familiar to people who are used to a hierarchy based on the Windows operating system. UNIX users might recognize some elements of this hierarchy, as well as the presence of file pointers.

You can access the integrated file system in System i Navigator. With the integrated file system, you can find, change, and copy files and libraries on your system by navigating through a hierarchy that is similar to Windows Explorer. You can use the integrated file system to copy data files onto your client PC.

Database file management

Learn about traditional file management functions that your application uses in creating and accessing data on the system and in ensuring the integrity of the data. File management is the part of the operating system that controls the storing and accessing of traditional file objects (*FILE objects in the QSYS.LIB library) on the system.

Spooled files

Spooling is a system function that saves data in a database file for later processing or printing. With spooled files, you can manage your data files on attached devices, such as a diskette or printer.

Tape files

Tape files are device files that provide access to attached tape devices. The Tape files topic collection describes the characteristics and use of tape device files for application programs. This topic also provides information about storing and accessing data from a tape device, and conceptual information about tape, tape data files, and tape device files.