* A document or program as well as a unit of storage or file management. Each file is a set of bytes (each byte typically consists of 8 bits) that is stored on some media, or inside an archive. Files can be transmitted over communication lines using communication protocols such as SMTP/POP3 (Mail), FTP, HTTP. Files may (or may not) have different attributes (metadata). There are many different types of files: data files, text files , program files, directory files, and so on. Different types of files store different types of information. For example, program files store programs, whereas text files store text. [1]
* An element of data storage in a file system. A collection of data or information that has a name, called the filename. Almost all information stored in a computer must be in a file. There are many different types of files: data files, text files, program files, directory files, and so on. [2] [3] [4]
* In word processing, a piece of text that is usually one document long. [5]
* In a database, a complete collection of records treated as one unit. [6]
* A collection of logically related data records. [7]
* A collection of data of information stored under a specified name on a disk. [8]

[1] Ibis Consulting, Glossary.
[2] Fios, E-Discovery Glossary, http://discoveryresources.org/01_electronic_discovery_glossary.html
[3] Vinson & Elkins LLP Practice Support, EDD Glossary.
[4] RSI, Glossary.
[5] Legal Electronic Document Institute, Basic Principles of Automated Litigation Support (2005).
[6] Legal Electronic Document Institute, Basic Principles of Automated Litigation Support (2005).
[7] Legal Electronic Document Institute, Basic Principles of Automated Litigation Support (2005).
[8] Kroll Ontrack, Glossary of Terms, http://www.krollontrack.com/glossaryterms

Attributions
- EDRM (http://edrm.net)