This is a question about the nature of the database file in this assignment. I'm hoping that somemone can point me in the right direction - my background is more web-application-centric and I'm a bit green in the IO department.
I just started reviewing my assignment while working through Max's book and found myself somewhat perplexed by this file (I was a bit surprised that the database itself didn't have just a wee bit more documentation about it's creation).
Question 1: I'm wondering if this file represents a serialized object that contains all DB records in a single file, or some other kind of binary file that contains text formatted data?
Question 2: Is there a standard way that I can determine whether this file is a serialized object or other type of file (some type of file-type
test that
Java uses)?
Question 3: In any case, could someone point me to the right starting point in the Java IO package for investigating this file and working with it(I assume this is where I would find the tools)?
In Max's book, the version 1 database uses multiple files, each representing individual DVD titles, which are serialized objects, and the code that retrieves and works with them reads the individual files and puts them into a single data structure. So, I'm wondering if I need to work with this file in a similar way - except that it will represent all records in a single file.
So far, this is the only thing that is really a sticking point for me.
Thanks in advanced for any insight.