What is File Layouts?

File layouts define the structure of data within a file, specifying the organization and format of individual data elements. They are essential for enabling applications to correctly interpret and process the information stored in files. Common file layouts include fixed-width formats (where each field occupies a predetermined number of characters), delimited formats (where fields are separated by a special character like a comma), and more complex structures involving headers, record types, and pointers. Understanding the file layout is crucial for tasks such as data extraction, data transformation, and data integration.