_______________________ resides within the file and moves with the file, not changing unless the contents of the file are altered.

The term that fits this description is "metadata."

Metadata refers to data that describes other data, providing information about a certain item's content. It often includes details such as the file's creation date, modification date, the author of the file, and more. Importantly, metadata resides within the file itself and travels with it; it does not change unless the contents of the file are altered or the metadata is manually modified.

For example, if you have a Word document, the metadata might include the title of the document, the date created, the last modified date, and the author’s name. When you move or copy the file to another location or device, the metadata moves with it, helping users understand the context and management of the file without needing to open it. This function plays a crucial role in file organization, data management, and retrieval processes.