Fixed Length Storage

In fixed-length storage each line of print is viewed as a record, where all records have the same length, i.e. where each record accommodates the same number of characters. Since data are frequently input on terminals with 80-column images or using 80-columns cards, we will assume our records have length 80 unless otherwise stated or implied.

For example:

C PROGRAM

READ X, Y

PRINT X,Y

The main disadvantages are:

a.      Time is wasted reading an entire record if most of the storage consists of inessential blank spaces.

b.      Certain records may require more space than available.

c.       When the correction consists of more or fewer characters than the original text, changing a misspelled word requires the entire record to be changed.

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