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Glite Dictionary
detail file

detail file

5.5
A computer file that holds temporary data for a specific task
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : archivo de detalles
  • The detail file contains essential data for processing monthly sales reports.

Examples

  • We extract all analyst recommendations for U.S. firms from the I/B/E/S detail file for the period 1994-2010.

    Academic text (2016)

  • We chose this starting date because the detail file of analyst recommendations starts with 1993, and 1994 is the first complete year.

    Academic text (2016)

  • She saved the detail file with all the updates to ensure accurate project tracking.

  • After running the program, the detail file generated a summary of all user actions.

Synonyms

computer file
vsdetail file
13 2.2

A collection of information saved on a computer under a name

holds task-specific, often temporary data rather than general stored information
data file
vsdetail file
7 3.4

A file that a program uses to keep related information

focuses on task-specific transient contents rather than general record collections
transaction file
vsdetail file
  • Specialized
1 5.2

A computer file that holds recent records of actions updated while the computer works

is about task-specific temporary data rather than update cycles

Surface Forms

detail file singular
detail files plural

Morphology

detail + file

The compound 'detail file' is transparently compositional: it denotes a 'file' that contains 'details', so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it refers to a file holding specific pieces of information. Domain-specific nuances (e.g., temporary or task-specific use in computing) are specialized but do not prevent basic understanding of the phrase from its parts.

Etymology

Detail file is like a small paper folder kept for one job: the detail pages hold the small facts and the file keeps them together. So it means a computer file that holds specific, often 'temporary' information for a single 'task'.