What process involves reading from and writing to external files?

The process that involves reading from and writing to external files is known as file handling. This encompasses the methods and operations used to manage files, including opening, reading, writing, and closing files stored on external storage devices. In programming, file handling is crucial for tasks such as storing user data, saving application settings, and logging events.

When it comes to the terminology, file handling specifically refers to the interactive management of file input and output, which makes it distinct from other processes. For instance, while file management generally refers to the organization and structure of files (like creating folders or deleting files), file handling is more focused on the direct interaction with the contents of those files.

In contrast, file sharing pertains to the distribution or access of files between users or systems, rather than the process of reading and writing. Data processing is a broader concept that deals with manipulating and analyzing data but does not specifically denote the actions taken with files themselves. Therefore, file handling is the most accurate term that describes the specific actions of reading from and writing to external files.