Is it possible to update data in sequential-access files without overwriting existing data?

In sequential-access files, data is organized in a linear manner, meaning that records are stored one after the other, and to reach a specific record, the system must read through the preceding records from the beginning. This structure inherently makes it difficult to update records without overwriting existing data. When a record needs to be changed, the new data must be placed into the sequence, which often requires overwriting the original record or inserting a new record, thus modifying the overall file structure.

If an attempt is made to insert a new record without overwrite, it could disrupt the sequential order, leading to problems in accessing data correctly later. Therefore, the capability to update data in these types of files is limited to either writing over existing data or moving files around, which is not a feasible or practical solution in many scenarios.

This supports the assertion that updating data in sequential-access files without overwriting existing data is indeed not possible, validating the correct response.