Types of Data Items - SS2 ICT Lesson Note

Computer files can store a wide variety of data items, which can be broadly categorized into the following types:

Text Files: These contain human-readable text, such as documents, code files, configuration files, and more.

Binary Files: These store non-textual data, like images, audio, video, executable programs, and database files. Binary files may not be directly human-readable as they contain machine code or encoded data.

Structured Data Files: These hold organized data in a structured format, such as spreadsheets, databases, and XML files. They allow for efficient data manipulation and retrieval.

Compressed Files: These files store other files in a compressed format to save storage space. Examples include ZIP, RAR, and TAR files.

Archival Files: These files are used to store a collection of files and metadata in a single unit, preserving their structure for easy distribution or backup. Examples include ISO, DMG, and 7z files.