master file

[′mas·tər ′fīl] (computer science) A computer file containing relatively permanent information, usually updated periodically, such as subscriber records or payroll data other than time worked. A computer file that is used as an authoritative source of data in carrying out a particular job on the computer.

master file

A collection of records pertaining to one of the main subjects of an information system, such as customers, employees, products and vendors. Master files contain descriptive data, such as name and address, as well as summary information, such as amount due and year-to-date sales. Contrast with transaction file. See master data management.

Although there can be many more, following are the typical fields in a business master record. The "key" fields are generally indexed for matching against the transaction records as well as fast retrieval for queries. The account number is usually the primary key, but name may also be primary. There can be secondary indexes; for example, in an inverted file structure, almost all the fields could be indexed. See transaction file for examples of transaction records.

EMPLOYEE MASTER RECORD key Employee account number key Name (last) Name (first) Address, city, state, zip Hire date Birth date Title Job class Pay rate Year-to-date gross pay CUSTOMER MASTER RECORD key Customer account number key Name Bill-to address, city, state, zip Ship-to address, city, state, zip Credit limit Date of first order Sales-to-date Balance due VENDOR MASTER RECORD key Vendor account number key Name Address, city, state, zip Terms Quality rating Shipping method PRODUCT MASTER RECORD key Product number key Name Description Quantity on hand Location Primary vendor Secondary vendor

master file

master file

master file

master file

master file

Synonyms for master file

noun (computer science) a computer file that is used as the authority in a given job and that is relatively permanent

Synonyms

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