ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

File descriptor

A file descriptor is like a passport that a program uses to ‘check in' when it wants to use a file. It’s like a ticket that a computer program uses to ask the computer to open a specific file on your computer, like a music file or a picture. When the computer gets the ticket, it can find the correct file and let the program open it and access the data inside.
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