File Handling Quiz

What is a file in the context of data storage?

• A collection of unrelated data

• A type of software application

• A hardware component of a computer

• A collection of related data stored in a particular area on the disk

Answer explanation

A file is defined as a collection of related data stored in a specific area on the disk, making it the correct choice. Other options do not accurately describe what a file is in data storage.

Which class is used for output file stream operations in C++?

• fileStream

• ofstream

• fstream

• ifstream

Answer explanation

The correct class for output file stream operations in C++ is 'ofstream'. It is specifically designed for writing to files, while 'ifstream' is for input, and 'fstream' can handle both input and output.

What does the 'seekg' function do in file handling?

• It reads data from the file

• It closes the file

• It moves the read position to a specified location

• It opens a file for writing

Answer explanation

The 'seekg' function is used in file handling to move the read position to a specified location in the file, allowing for precise control over where data is read from.

What is the purpose of using binary files?

• To store data in a human-readable format

• To store data in its original format

• To create text files

• To compress data

Answer explanation

Binary files store data in its original format, allowing for efficient data representation and retrieval. Unlike text files, they are not human-readable but preserve the exact structure and content of the data.

What is the correct way to open a file for both reading and writing in C++?

• file.open(filename, ios::in | ios::out)

• file.open(filename, ios::read | ios::write)

• file.open(filename, ios::open | ios::close)

• file.open(filename, ios::write | ios::append)

Answer explanation

The correct way to open a file for both reading and writing in C++ is using 'file.open(filename, ios::in | ios::out)'. This combines the input and output modes, allowing you to read from and write to the file.

What type of data does the 'write' function handle in binary file operations?

• Text data only

• Integer data only

• Character data only

• Data in its original format

Answer explanation

The 'write' function in binary file operations handles data in its original format, allowing for the storage of various data types (text, integers, characters) without conversion, preserving their exact representation.

What happens if you try to read past the end of a file?

• It sets the eof flag

• It loops indefinitely

• It returns an error code

• The program crashes

Answer explanation

When you attempt to read past the end of a file, the eof (end-of-file) flag is set. This indicates that there are no more data to read, allowing the program to handle the situation gracefully without crashing or entering an infinite loop.

How is the 'fstream' class different from 'ifstream' and 'ofstream'?

• It can read and write files

• It can only write files

• It is used for binary files only

• It can only read files

Answer explanation

The 'fstream' class is designed for both reading and writing files, unlike 'ifstream' which only reads, and 'ofstream' which only writes. This makes 'fstream' versatile for file operations.

What is the purpose of the 'close' function in file handling?

• To delete the file

• To open a new file

• To read data from the file

• To save changes and release resources

Answer explanation

The 'close' function is essential in file handling as it saves any changes made to the file and releases system resources associated with it. This prevents data loss and ensures efficient resource management.

What is the function of the 'getline' method in C++ file handling?

• To read a single character from the file

• To read an entire line from the file

• To write a line to the file

• To check if the file is open

Answer explanation

The 'getline' method in C++ is specifically designed to read an entire line from a file, making it the correct choice. It allows for reading input until a newline character is encountered, effectively capturing complete lines.