What precedes each record on a disk?

A disk address precedes each record on a disk because it is essential for data organization and retrieval. The disk address serves as a unique identifier for the specific location of data on the storage medium, allowing the operating system or relevant software to quickly locate and access the desired information. By directing the read/write head to the correct location, the disk address ensures efficient data management and helps avoid data corruption or misplacement.

While elements like a file name, timestamp, and checksum are important for file management and data integrity, they do not directly precede each individual record on the disk. A file name provides a way to identify the file as a whole rather than individual records, a timestamp indicates when the data was created or modified, and a checksum is used for error-checking to validate the data's integrity. Hence, although these aspects are significant in the broader context of data storage and retrieval, the disk address is the primary element that precedes each record specifically.