File transfer

Transmission of computer files

File transfer is the transmission of a computer file through a communication channel from one computer system to another. Typically, file transfer is mediated by a communications protocol. In the history of computing, numerous file transfer protocols have been designed for different contexts.

## Protocols

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A file transfer protocol is a convention that describes how to transfer files between two computing endpoints. As well as the stream of bits from a file stored as a single unit in a file system, some may also send relevant metadata such as the filename, file size and timestamp – and even file-system permissions and file attributes.

Some examples:

* FTP is an older cross-platform file transfer protocol[1]
* SSH File Transfer Protocol a file transfer protocol secured by the Secure Shell (SSH) protocol
* Secure copy (scp) is based on the Secure Shell (SSH) protocol
* HTTP can support file transfer
* BitTorrent, Gnutella and other distributed file transfers systems use peer-to-peer
* In Systems Network Architecture, LU 6.2 Connect:Direct and XCOM Data Transport are traditionally used to transfer files
* Many instant messaging or LAN messenger systems support the ability to transfer files
* Computers may transfer files to peripheral devices such as USB flash drives
* Dial-up modems null modem links used XMODEM, YMODEM, ZMODEM and similar

## See also

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* File sharing
* Managed file transfer
* Peer-to-peer file sharing
* Pull technology
* Push technology
* Sideloading
* WeTransfer
* Smash

## References

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1. ^ Prince, Brian (24 January 2012). "Should Organizations Retire FTP for Security?". Security Week. Retrieved 14 September 2017.

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Computer files

Types|

* Binary file / text file
* Data file
* File format
* List of file formats
* File signatures
* Magic number
* Open file formats
* Proprietary file formats
* Metafile
* Sidecar file
* Sparse file
* Swap file
* System file
* Temporary file
* Zero-byte file

Properties|

* Filename
* 8.3 filename
* Long filename
* Filename mangling
* Filename extension
* List of filename extensions
* File attribute
* Extended file attributes
* File size
* Hidden file / Hidden directory

Organisation|

* Directory/folder
* NTFS links
* Temporary folder
* Directory structure
* File system
* Filesystem Hierarchy Standard
* Grid file system
* Semantic file system
* Path

Operations|

* Open
* Close
* Read
* Write

Linking|

* File descriptor
* Hard link
* Shortcut
* Alias
* Shadow
* Symbolic link

Management|

* Backup
* File comparison
* File copying
* Data compression
* File manager
* Comparison of file managers
* File system fragmentation
* File-system permissions
* File transfer
* File sharing
* File synchronization
* File verification

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