1      One of the chief characteristics of computers is that they store
2 information electronically.  And Multics can store a lot of information.  In
3 order to keep track of the information, it is necessary to have a file system.
4 The basic component of Multics' file system is the segment (often called a
5 file on other computer systems).  Segments contain stored information such
6 as text and records.  Segments are then contained in directories, which are
7 arranged in a hierarchy.