1. file format A single file containing one or (usually)
more separate files plus information to allow them to be
extracted (separated) by a suitable program.
Archives are usually created for software distribution or
2. operating system To transfer files to slower, cheaper
they occupied. This is now normally done for long-term
storage but in the 1960s, when disk was much more expensive,
files were often shuffled regularly between disk and tape.
(1996-12-08)