Recording apparatus, recording method, and recording medium using an index file

A recording method, comprising:

• a creating step executed by a file creator for creating an index file for a file, the index file indicating attribute information of the file and including a plurality of areas to each of which a unique identifier is assigned;
• a dividing step of dividing the attribute information indicated by the index file into first attribute information which is a collection of fields with a data length of a fixed length and second attribute information including a field with a data length of a variable length;
• a storing step of storing separately a plurality pieces of first attribute information associated with a plurality of files recorded on a recording medium, respectively, and a plurality pieces of second attribute information associated with said plurality pieces of first attribute information, respectively, in a plurality of areas to each of which a unique identifier is assigned while said plurality pieces of first attribute information are associated with said plurality of files, respectively, and said plurality pieces of second attribute information are associated with said plurality pieces of first attribute information, respectively;
• a collecting step of collecting an area of said plurality of areas with a data length of a fixed length as a first area group;
• a collecting step of collecting an area of said plurality of areas with a data length of a variable length as a second area group;
• and
• a recording step of recording the created index file on the recording medium.

A computer-readable medium for storing a program for recording an index file created by a recording method, said method comprising:

• a creating step of creating an index file for a file, the index file indicating attribute information of the file and including a plurality of areas to each of which a unique identifier is assigned;
• a dividing step of dividing the attribute information indicated by the index file into first attribute information which is a collection of fields with a data length of a fixed length and second attribute information including a field with a data length of a variable length;
• a storing step of storing separately a plurality pieces of first attribute information associated with a plurality of recorded files, respectively, and a plurality pieces of second attribute information associated with said plurality pieces of first attribute information, respectively, in a plurality of areas to each of which a unique identifier is assigned while said plurality pieces of first attribute information are associated with said plurality of files, respectively, and said plurality pieces of second attribute information are associated with said plurality pieces of first attribute information, respectively;
• a collecting step of collecting an area of said plurality of areas with a data length of a fixed length as a first area group;
• and
• a collecting step of collecting an area of said plurality of areas with a data length of a variable length as a second area group.

An electronic camera comprising:

• creating means for creating an index file for a file, the index file indicating attribute information of the file and including a plurality of areas to each of which a unique identifier is assigned;
• and
• recording means for recording a picture signal obtained by taking a picture of a subject as a file on a recording medium and recording said index file on the recording medium,
• wherein said creating means divides the attribute information indicated by the index file into first attribute information which is a collection of fields with a data length of a fixed length and second attribute information including a field with a data length of a variable length;
• said creating means stores separately a plurality pieces of first attribute information associated with a plurality of files recorded on said recording medium, respectively, and a plurality pieces of second attribute information associated with said plurality of first attribute information, respectively, in said plurality of areas while said plurality pieces of first attribute information are associated with said plurality of files, respectively, and said plurality pieces of second attribute information are associated with said plurality pieces of first attribute information, respectively;
• said creating means collects an area of said plurality of areas with a data length of a fixed length as a first area group, and collects an area of said plurality of areas with a data length of a variable length as a second area group.