File vs Folder: Difference and Comparison

The terms Folder and File are computer terms which are quite commonly used. 

In simple terms, a file is similar to a document available on one’s desk, and a folder is similar to a container used to store files.

It cannot be denied that it is impossible to keep thousands of paper files on a single desk, as it will be impossible to find a particular file from the lot when you need it.

So, it is necessary to store these files in a folder. The files must be organized and placed into particular folders. This will make it easy to search for a particular file.

Key Takeaways

1. A file is a unit of information that stores data, whereas a folder is a container that holds files or other folders.
2. A file is identified by its name and extension, whereas a folder is identified by its name and the files and folders it contains.
3. A file can be edited, deleted, or moved individually, whereas a folder can only be moved or deleted.

File vs Folder

A file is a named collection of information stored on a computer and can be a text document, an image, a video, or any other type of digital content. A folder, a directory, is a container for files and other folders to organize and manage digital content on a computer.

Comparison Table

Parameter of Comparison	File	Folder
Definition	It collects linked information and data stored in a secondary storage device.	A container carries and organizes files and adds them under a common heading.
Extensions	It can have extensions.	It cannot have extensions.
Container	A file is not a container. It cannot hold or contain any other files or folders.	A folder is a container containing any number of folders or files.
Supported operations	The operations that a file supports are opening, modifying, saving, printing, renaming and emailing the file content.	The operations that a folder supports are share, rename, move and delete.
Sharing	Files are restricted from being shared on the network by itself.	Folders are allowed to be shared on the network.
Space	Files occupy space on the memory of a computer.	Folders do not occupy any space on the memory of a computer.
Memory size	A file has a particular memory size.	A folder has no specific size.

What is a File?

Whenever we store data in our computer system, the operating system supplies an entity called a file. A file is a collection of associated information or data.

There are many different types of files as per the data stored in them, and these are identified by the extensions they have. Some files can have data and information in numeric form; some can have it in binary or alphanumeric form.

Some files include a workbook, word document, scanned photograph, application, or any audio or video stored in a hard drive.

Properties of a File

1. Name–  The file’s name helps to differentiate it from one another. Files are accessed using their names, and there are certain rules for naming files.
2. Extension– The extension specifies the file type, whether a document, text, image, video audio or any other type.
3. Date and time– These are stored by a file at the time of its alteration or creation in addition to the data in the files.
4. Length– The total byte content expresses the length of the file.
5. Protection attributes– The file protection attributes determine the type of file access given to the user, such as archive, read-only, or hidden. 

What is Folder?

A folder accommodates a group of files and folders and places them under the same heading. Any number of folders can be created; each such folder has numerous files and subfolders.

The folders can have many entries as per the number of files created. If a file is deleted from the folder, the entry automatically gets deleted from the folder, also. 

Folders are important to keep. They help organize numerous files into groups and make searching for a particular file easy.

If we did not have any folders on our computer system, all the programs, documents, and files would be in the same place. A Folder allows us to have multiple files in it.

We can have multiple files with the same name in different folders. For example, a file called assignment.doc can be saved in my documents folder, and another file called assignment.doc in another folder called assignments. 

A folder does not have extensions like a file.

Main Differences Between File and Folder

1. A file is a collection of related information and data, whereas a folder is a place to store such files.
2. A file can have extensions, but a folder does not have extensions.
3. A file cannot contain other same entities, while a folder can contain other same entities.
4. When talking about space consumption, a file has a specific size. On the other hand, a folder does not have any particular size.
5. Once the file is created, it can be opened, saved, printed, renamed, emailed, and modified. Once a folder is created, it can be moved, renamed, or deleted.
6. Serial, indexed sequential, sequential and direct file organizations are the different organizations of a file. The different directory organizations of folders include a single directory per user, one directory per user, and multiple directories per user.
7. A file has a name, time, date, length, protection, and extension attributes. A folder has a name, time, date, and protection attributes.
8. A file can store information or data in a single unit, while a folder can store different types of files.

References

1. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/asi.21415
2. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/6970237/

Last Updated : 19 November, 2023