What is a file descriptor in an operating system?

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What is a file descriptor in an operating system?

A file descriptor in an operating system is a unique identifier or reference number that is used to access and manipulate files or input/output (I/O) devices. It is typically represented as a non-negative integer and is used by the operating system to keep track of open files and their associated data. File descriptors are used by programs to perform various operations on files, such as reading, writing, or closing them.