Question

What are the two modes that a random access file may be opened in? Explain the difference between them.

Short answer

Answer: The two modes in which a random-access file may be opened are read-only access mode and read-write access mode. In read-only mode, users can only read data from the file without making any changes to the content, while in read-write mode, users can read data from the file and make modifications or additions to the content. The main difference between the two modes is the ability to modify the file content - read-only mode prevents file modifications, while read-write mode allows for both reading and modifying the file content.

Step-by-step solution

Read-only access mode

In read-only access mode, users can only read data from the file but cannot make any changes or additions to it. This is useful when we want to ensure that the file content remains unchanged during the access, like when a program needs to access a file containing important configuration data. To open a file in read-only mode, we usually use a "r" or "rb" (read-binary) mode specifier.

Read-write access mode

In read-write access mode, users are allowed to read data from the file and make modifications or additions to it. This mode is generally used when the program needs to both read from and write to the file. To open a file in read-write mode, we use the "r+" or "rb+" (read-binary and write) mode specifier.

Understanding the difference between read-only and read-write modes

The main difference between read-only and read-write modes lies in the ability to modify the file content. Read-only access mode allows you to only read the content of the file, whereas read-write access mode allows you to read and modify the contents of the file. Choosing the appropriate mode depends on the specific requirements and safety needs of the program or application you are working with.