Dictionary of Marketing Terms: file maintenance
file maintenance
procedure that keeps computer files current by applying all necessary transactions ( adjustments) against the file. A file maintenance procedure must be performed prior to generating any output, such as labels, reports, or list rental selections, from the file. Transactions include changes of address, addition and deletion of records, application of payments to credit orders, and so forth. In on-line systems, file maintenance is performed continuously. In batch systems, it is scheduled according to the frequency with which output must be generated.
