Mastering Java: The Ultimate Quiz for 'Thinking in Java'

What does the 'symmetricScramble' function primarily demonstrate?

1. File encryption

2. Buffer manipulation

3. Data compression

4. File locking

The correct answer is: Buffer manipulation

The 'symmetricScramble' function is primarily used to demonstrate buffer manipulation. Buffer manipulation is a method of modifying data by manipulating the length and offsets of the data in a buffer, and in this case it is used to encrypt the file. The other options, file encryption, data compression, and file locking, are not necessarily incorrect, but they are not the primary function of the 'symmetricScramble' function. File encryption is the process of converting readable data into a code to prevent unauthorized access. Data compression reduces the size of a file to save storage space. File locking is a method of restricting access to a file to prevent simultaneous modifications. These are all related processes, but they are not the primary function of the 'symmetricScramble' function.