Which of the following best describes the data handling capabilities of a disk editor?

The description that highlights the data handling capabilities of a disk editor as flexible but potentially struggling with compressed files accurately conveys the tool's functionality. Disk editors are designed to work at a low level with disk sectors, allowing users to view and manipulate the binary data stored on a disk. This flexibility enables the analysis and editing of various data types, including file system structures and individual file content.

However, when it comes to compressed files, disk editors may encounter difficulties. Compression algorithms modify the way data is stored, which can obscure the original content. As a result, while a disk editor can access the raw data on the disk, interpreting and manipulating compressed files may require additional tools or know-how to decompress the data before effective editing or recovery can take place. This characteristic underscores the dual nature of a disk editor's capabilities: versatile in its application but limited with certain file types due to the complexity of data handling involved.