Final answer:
In flat file systems, file definitions are stored within the application code, with each file being independent and changes to the file structure requiring updates to the application itself.
Step-by-step explanation:
When application programs utilize flat file systems, the file definitions typically reside within the application's code. In a flat file system, there is no separate database management system (DBMS) to provide the file structure and definition. Instead, the format, structure, and constraints of the data are defined and managed by the application program that uses the files.
Each file is independent and does not contain relations or pointers to other files, making the management straightforward but less flexible compared to database management systems. As a result, any changes to the file structure often require changes in the application code itself.
When application programs use flat file systems, the file definitions typically reside within the application itself. In a flat file system, data is stored in plain text files without any hierarchical structure or database management system. Each application program has its own file definitions that specify the layout and organization of the data within the files.