Filename

/ˈfaɪlneɪm/ noun

Definition

The name given to a computer file to identify it, usually including letters, numbers, and a file extension.

Etymology

Modern compound word from 'file' (from Latin 'filum,' thread) + 'name' (from Old English 'nama'), created in the early computer age (1960s-70s) as computing terminology.

Kelly Says

Filename conventions are so specific to computer culture that different operating systems have completely different rules—Windows allows spaces while Unix doesn't, meaning your perfectly named file could break if you switch systems.

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