What are files commonly understood as?

Files are commonly understood as a sequence of bytes because they serve as the fundamental unit of data storage in computing. Each file consists of a collection of bytes, which represent the raw data. This data can include anything from text, images, audio, video, or executable programs, and the arrangement of these bytes defines how that data is interpreted by software and operating systems.

In a computing context, the sequence of bytes can be thought of as the building blocks that store information in a designated format, allowing users and applications to create, read, and manipulate the file content. Understanding files as sequences of bytes underscores the way data is structured, processed, and accessed in a digital environment.