Editing Sequential access (section)

{{Short description|Computer memory concept}}
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[[File:Random vs sequential access.svg|thumb|right|Sequential access compared to [[random access]]]]

'''Sequential access''' is a term describing a group of elements (such as data in a memory array or a [[Hard disk drive|disk]] file or on [[magnetic-tape data storage]]) being accessed in a predetermined, ordered [[sequence]]. It is the opposite of [[random access]], the ability to access an arbitrary element of a sequence as easily and efficiently as any other at any time.

Sequential access is sometimes the only way of accessing the data, for example if it is on a tape. It may also be the access method of choice, for example if all that is wanted is to process a sequence of data elements in order.<ref>[https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc938619.aspx Random and Sequential Data Access], Microsoft TechNet</ref>