Data file life cycle

Each data file goes through a life cycle as it moves through the accounting process.

The following process explains the life cycle of a data file:

1. A pool of pre-allocated data files are created and registered with Advanced Accounting.
2. As accounting statistics are collected from the system, data is written to the active data file.
3. The size of the data file (predetermined when the file is created) limits the amount of data that can be written to the file. Once the data file is full, no more data can be written to it. Advanced Accounting then switches to the next empty data file and begin writing data to it.
4. Once the data file is full, you can then use post-processing tools, such as a billing application, to process the accounting data into statistics for billing purposes.
5. After the data is extracted from the data file and processed, the file is reset so that it can be reused.