General archives refer to various forms of original records with preservation value directly formed by people in various social activities. The original record is its essential attribute. China ancient archives have different titles in different dynasties.

Shang dynasty called it a book, Zhou dynasty called it a clock, Qin and Han dynasties called it an ancient book, and Han and Wei dynasties later called it a document, a copy, a file and a book. After the Qing dynasty, it was often called "file", but now it is unified as "file".

Interpretation of file references:

Refers to all kinds of documents and materials that have reference value and have been centrally archived.

Quote Vencent Yang's "A Brief Introduction to Liu Bian" Volume III: "There are many books on the out-of-bounds wood, and the signs are sent back, so that if the signs are cut, they will survive, and those who survive for a long time will be called files."

Document 1979No. 1: "Baxian Archives is the oldest and largest local archives in China."

The above contents refer to Baidu Encyclopedia-Archives.