What are access methods?

Access methods refer to the various ways in which data can be accessed, retrieved, and manipulated on external storage devices, such as hard drives, solid-state drives, or other storage media. This concept is critical in computer science as it defines how programs and users interact with data stored outside of the primary memory (RAM).

Access methods can include techniques like sequential access, where data is read in a linear fashion until the desired information is found, or random access, which allows for data to be read directly from any point in the storage medium. Understanding these methods is essential for efficient data management and retrieval, making it easier to develop applications that handle large amounts of information effectively.