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## Random Access

- When manipulating data with random access, we have to pay special attention to the formatting of the data.
- Example: Suppose we store the data as text:

  Then raise Harry's salary by 5.5 percent to $36,397.50.

  The update overwrites some characters in the next field.
- In order to be able to update a file, we must give each filed a fixed size that is sufficiently large.
- As a result, every record in the file has the same size, making it easy to jump over records.
- Example: We will restructure our records above to

  > Name: 30 characters
  > Salary: 10 characters

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