Immediately after the computer was first created, one question quickly arose - how to store the data, generated by the computer. This is where the computer file came in, evolving from a huge carton punch card file to the modern files we are all used to today.
The File
A file represents a sequence of characters (letters, numbers or special characters) that are stored on a personal computer, accessible only to the PC owner, or on a server, viewable from any Internet - enabled computer in the world.
Files are just everywhere - they are the 'building material' of the World Wide Web, storing data in the form of text and numbers, which makes it possible for us to obtain any kind of textual and visual information from the ever-growing online knowledge base through our computer or smart phone. For instance, when reading articles you get their corresponding text file executed, while when viewing images you have their image files displayed. This is, actually, just the most popular use of files.
File types
Apart from text files, we have a range of system files whose content is hidden from the user's eye but is crucial for the proper functioning of websites and applications. Program files, for example, contain certain instructions or code that have to be executed to define the behavior of websites, computer programs, various online applications, etc. Namely the execution of commands within program files makes the web as dynamic and flexible as we know it today. Files are also used for data processing purposes. Data files store data that is to be used and analyzed by a computer application or system.
Within the family of system files we could also outline the configuration files, also known as config files, whose purpose is to determine the operation or structure of user applications, server processes or operating system settings.
Backing up your files
When working with important information, backing up your files is always a safe bet, since you never know what could happen. This applies to both files located on your personal desktop machine or laptop, and to files located on a remote web hosting server. We know how important it is to keep all the data safe. That is why at NTC Hosting we have developed a powerful backup solution, which takes care of you files all the time. Backups are performed on a daily basis, to ensure that we have the latest data possible kept as a backup.
The File Manager
Right after the creation of files, the need of a system to manage them was born. This is how the file managers were created, evolving together with the file evolution - with each new file model, a new file manager was created.
The file managers today allow the user to perform a huge array of modifications and actions, as well as previews, with most media files. The look of the Windows File manager and the file structure used there is adopted by the majority of the graphical file managers, since it provides a very user orientated experience.
Recently, the developer team at NTC Hosting has made a huge upgrade of the file manager available with each of our web hosting plans, to provide an even more enhanced functionality, speed and stability. It has an intuitive interface, which is very easy to handle.