File organization basics: Each data file includes a defined structure that specifies how the data is stored within the file. What is this description called?

Introduction / Context:
Data files are not just raw bytes; they follow a scheme that dictates how information is segmented and interpreted. This question targets the terminology for that scheme.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• A file consists of records, which are composed of fields.
• The arrangement, sizes, and encodings are predefined.
• Applications rely on that definition to parse and validate the file's contents.

Concept / Approach:
The file structure (sometimes called record layout or file format) declares the organization of records and fields, their order, sizes, delimiters, and data types. Without it, consumers of the file cannot reliably read or write the data.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Standards like CSV, JSON, and fixed-length record formats are examples of file structures that tools parse systematically.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Database: broader system managing multiple files and relations.
• Records/Fields: components, not the descriptive scheme.
• None of the above: incorrect because ‘‘File structure’’ fits precisely.

Common Pitfalls:
Mixing the names of components with the specification that defines them.

Final Answer:
File structure