In programming, it's common to write a class that both reads and writes files. What do you call this type of thing? Is it a file handler? A file parser? A file provider? A file streamer? How about a filer? Or do you just call it a file reader and leave it at that?
1 Answer
Your first response is probably the best, along with file processor.
processor: a machine that processes something.
process: a series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular end.
A parser implies that it only reads the files, not writes them.
A provider implies it is the source of the file, not an intermediary.
A streamer implies the files are either being written continually or converted continually.
A filer implies that the files are stored without modification.
A reader implies the files are read without modification.
-
1I was thinking the same thing after I asked the question: what does it do? It handles file operations. File handler it is. (Processor is too long!) Jan 26, 2014 at 3:33
-
1Processor is too long! - careful, it's that kind of thinking that gave us the Y2K bug! ;)– NomicJan 27, 2014 at 4:53
-
1@Koveras "File Handler" is very close to the term "File Handle" - which is what you call a unique identifier after a process has opened a file. I wouldn't recommend use of "Handler" as it'd be easy for a tech-savvy reader to confuse the two.– 4444Jun 11, 2014 at 14:00
-
-
@Koveras "Do-er" is very vague and unprofessional. What does it do to the files; take them for a walk? Throw them a birthday party? (May I ask why Processor is too long?)– 4444Jun 11, 2014 at 15:30