special file
[/ˈspɛʃəl faɪl/]
nounpl: special files
arquivo especial
1. In computing, a file system object that provides an interface to a device or pseudo-device, rather than storing data like a regular file
Device drivers use special files to communicate with hardware components in Unix-like operating systems.
Os drivers de dispositivos usam arquivos especiais para se comunicarem com componentes de hardware em sistemas operacionais do tipo Unix.
2. A file with designated permissions or characteristics that grants restricted access or special handling by the operating system
The /dev/null special file discards all data written to it.
O arquivo especial /dev/null descarta todos os dados escritos nele.
3. A document or record classified with elevated importance or restricted classification status
That proposal was marked as a special file due to its confidential nature.
Essa proposta foi marcada como um arquivo especial devido à sua natureza confidencial.
This is primarily technical jargon used in software development and system administration. In Brazil, the term 'arquivo especial' is widely used among IT professionals and in technical documentation. In the USA, the concept is fundamental to Unix and Linux system architecture. The term is rarely used in casual conversation outside of technical contexts in either country.
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