Computer Science
What are the advantages of saving data in :
(i) binary form
(ii) text form
(iii) csv files ?
Answer
(i) The advantages of saving data in binary form are as follows:
- Efficiency — Binary files store data in a compact binary format, which can lead to smaller file sizes compared to text-based formats. Binary form is efficient for storing raw binary data.
- Speed — Reading and writing binary data can be faster than text-based formats because there is no need for encoding or decoding operations.
- Data Integrity — Binary files preserve the exact binary representation of data without any loss of information.
(ii) The advantages of saving data in text form are as follows:
- Human Readability — Text-based formats, such as plain text files, are human-readable, making them easy to inspect and edit using a text editor.
- Interoperability — Text files can be easily shared and processed across different platforms and programming languages.
- Compatibility — Text-based formats are widely supported by various software applications and systems, making them a versatile choice for data interchange and communication.
(iii) The advantages of saving data in CSV files are as follows:
- Tabular Data Representation — CSV (Comma-Separated Values) files provide a simple and standardized way to represent tabular data, with rows and columns separated by commas.
- Simplicity — CSV files are easy to create, parse, and manipulate using spreadsheet software.
- Flexibility — CSV files can store a wide range of data types, including numbers, strings, and dates.
- Interoperability — CSV files are supported by many software applications, databases, and programming languages, allowing for seamless integration and data exchange between different systems.
Related Questions
When a file is opened for output in write mode, what happens when
(i) the mentioned file does not exist
(ii) the mentioned file does exist ?
What role is played by file modes in file operations ? Describe the various file mode constants and their meanings.
When do you think text files should be preferred over binary files ?
Write a statement in Python to perform the following operations :
(a) To open a text file "BOOK.TXT" in read mode
(b) To open a text file "BOOK.TXT" in write mode