FILE DELETION Meaning and
Definition
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File deletion refers to the process of removing or erasing a computer file from a storage medium or memory device. It involves permanently removing the file's data and clearing references to the file, rendering it inaccessible or irretrievable by normal means.
When a file is deleted, it can be viewed as a two-step process. First, the file itself is marked as deleted in the file system's index or directory. This process removes the file's visibility to the operating system and applications, making it appear as if it does not exist. However, the actual data of the file remains on the storage medium.
The second step of file deletion involves overwriting the data on the storage medium with new information. This process prevents the possibility of recovering the file using common data recovery methods. Once the data has been overwritten, it is generally considered to be permanently deleted, and its recovery becomes highly unlikely without specialized data recovery techniques.
File deletion can be performed manually by the user or automatically by an operating system or application. It is typically initiated when a user selects a file and uses a command or option to delete it. Alternatively, files may be automatically deleted by various cleanup utilities or based on predefined rules or settings.
It is important to note that file deletion does not necessarily result in the complete removal of the file from a storage medium. Advanced data recovery techniques or forensic analysis may still have the potential to recover partial or complete data from deleted files, especially if they have not been actively overwritten.
Etymology of FILE DELETION
The etymology of the phrase "file deletion" can be understood by examining the origins of its constituent words.
- File: The word "file" is derived from the Latin word "filum", meaning "a thread" or "a string". In computing terminology, it refers to a named collection of data stored on a computer or other electronic device.
- Deletion: The term "deletion" comes from the Latin word "deletio", which means "removal" or "erasure". It is derived from the verb "delēre", meaning "to destroy" or "to blot out". In the context of computing, deletion refers to the act of removing or erasing a file or data from a storage device, effectively making it inaccessible.
Therefore, "file deletion" combines the idea of removing or erasing a named collection of data (file) from a storage device.
