OPS102 W2C1: File Systems and Folders

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Questions and Answers

What is a significant difference between Unix/Linux and Windows in terms of file naming?

Unix/Linux has a maximum filename length, while Windows does not

Unix/Linux uses underscores, while Windows uses hyphens

Unix/Linux allows spaces, while Windows does not

Unix/Linux is case sensitive, while Windows is not (correct)

What is the primary purpose of the /usr directory in a standard Linux distribution?

To store user-related programs and utilities (correct)

To store common system binaries

To store system configuration files

To store the root file system hierarchy

Why is it recommended to avoid using spaces in file names?

Because spaces can lead to inconsistent results in command line interface (correct)

Because spaces are not allowed in Unix/Linux file names

Because spaces are only allowed in Windows file names

Because spaces are not alphanumeric characters

What is the benefit of adopting a consistent file naming scheme?

It helps you find your files later Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the /bin directory in a standard Linux distribution?

To store common system binaries Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a folder in a computer system?

To categorize and organize files and subfolders Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following file types is typically used to store user data?

Document file Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a file extension in a Windows operating system?

To identify the file type and associate it with a specific program Signup and view all the answers

Which operating system does not rely heavily on file extensions to identify file types?

MacOS Signup and view all the answers

What is required to open a specific type of file in a Windows operating system?

A specific program or application Signup and view all the answers

What does the command ls do in Linux?

Displays a list of files and subdirectories Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by the first character in a detailed listing with ls -l in Linux?

File type Signup and view all the answers

What is the equivalent command to ls in Windows?

dir Signup and view all the answers

What information does the ls -l command provide in Linux?

Detailed information about files and subdirectories Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by the character 'd' in a detailed listing with ls -l in Linux?

A directory Signup and view all the answers

What type of files are typically stored in the /var directory?

Dynamic files Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the /tmp directory?

To store temporary files for programs Signup and view all the answers

What is the path separator used in Windows?

Backslash () Signup and view all the answers

What is the topmost directory in a Linux file system?

/ Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between Windows and Linux file systems?

Linux has a per-drive root directory, while Windows does not Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the tilde (~) in Linux/Unix pathnames?

To indicate the user's home directory Signup and view all the answers

What type of pathname starts from the root of the hierarchy?

Absolute pathname Signup and view all the answers

What command is used to display the folder hierarchy in a tree format?

tree Signup and view all the answers

What is the command used to print the name of the current user in Windows?

quser Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the date command in Linux?

To display the current date and time Signup and view all the answers

What is the default current working directory when a user opens a terminal?

The home directory Signup and view all the answers

What type of path can be used as an argument for the cd command?

Any type of path (absolute, relative or relative to home) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the cd command?

To change the current working directory Signup and view all the answers

What is the current working directory if you are viewing the Pictures folder in the file explorer?

The Pictures folder Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the command cd ~ in Linux?

To change to the home directory Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the course OPS102 for software developers?

It provides an introduction to Linux and Windows. Signup and view all the answers

What is the total percentage of labs in the course OPS102?

20% Signup and view all the answers

When is the Mid-Term Test scheduled in the OPS102 course?

Week 7 Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of swapping Weeks 1 and 2 for OPS102 sections ZBB and NCC?

To help students in their other courses. Signup and view all the answers

How many quizzes are there in the OPS102 course?

7 Signup and view all the answers

When is the Final Test scheduled in the OPS102 course?

Week 12 Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the course OPS102?

To introduce students to Linux and Windows. Signup and view all the answers

How many lab results are used to calculate the final lab mark in OPS102?

Top 5 results Signup and view all the answers

When was the OPS102 course first offered?

Fall 2023 Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

File Systems

A file system is a method of organizing and retrieving files efficiently from a storage medium, e.g., a hard disk.
Both Linux and Windows use hierarchical file systems, where files are organized in folders and subfolders.
The original (pre-GUI) name for folders is "directories".
In Windows File System, the hierarchy starts from drives: C, D, etc.
There are no drive letters like C, or D in Linux.
In Linux, the topmost directory is the root (/), and all files and directories appear under root.
Windows has a per-drive root directory, e.g., D:.

Files and Folders (Directories)

Virtually everything in a modern computer system is a file or a folder.
Folders are containers that can have files and other folders (called sub-folders).
Files are used to save user data (or any data) and can be of many different types, e.g., Word DOC document file, C programming language source file, compiled object code file, SQLite database file.
File types are identified from their extensions – the 3 or 4 last characters after a period/dot.
Examples of file extensions: .docx – Microsoft Word documents, .exe – an executable program on Windows, .txt – a text file.

Paths: Absolute, Relative, Relative to Home

A path specifies a unique location of a file or directory in the file system.
The file system location is found by following the directory tree hierarchy.
A path is written as a string of characters in which directories are separated by the path separator: a forward slash “/” in Linux and MacOS, or a backslash “\” in Windows.
There are multiple ways of specifying pathnames: Absolute pathnames, Relative pathnames, Relative to home pathnames.
Examples of absolute pathnames: /home/jones/Desktop/paris.jpg, D:\Trips\Paris\Louvre.
Relative pathname: A pathname that does not start with a slash is a relative pathname, and is interpreted relative to the current directory.
Example of a relative pathname: The argument to cat is relative to CWD: [jane@machine: /home/jane/Documents/]$ cat ./Math/marks.txt.
Relative to home pathname – on Linux/Unix, a tilde (“∼”) is used as a shorthand for the user’s home directory.
Example: from anywhere show the contents in Documents folder: [jane@machine: /var/log/]$ ls ~/Documents/.

Current Working Directory

The current working directory is the folder/directory where you are working at a given time.
If you are viewing Documents folder in file explorer, then Documents is your current working directory.
The current working directory is a more important concept when you are interacting with your system through a command-line interface.
Whenever a user opens a terminal, their home directory is their current working directory.
We can navigate in the file system and change our current working directory any time using the cd (change directory) command (Linux and Windows).

Changing the Current Working Directory

In a command-line interface (CLI), we use the command cd to change our current working directory.
The argument can be any type of path (absolute, relative, or relative to home).
Examples of cd in Linux: cd /bin, change directory to "/bin", cd, change directory to your home directory, cd ~, change directory to your home directory, cd .., change to parent directory.
Examples of cd in Windows: cd D:\Courses\OPS102, change directory to "D:\Courses\OPS102", cd, display current directory, cd .., change to parent directory.

File and Folder Names

Unix/Linux is case sensitive!
Windows is not case sensitive for file names.
Adopt a consistent file naming scheme – this will help you find your files later.
Make your file and folder/directory names meaningful.
Avoid non-alphanumeric characters, as they may have a special meaning to the system that will make your work more difficult.
Avoid using spaces in file names – consider periods, hyphens, and underscores instead, spaces in file names can lead to inconsistent results while working in the command-line interface.

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Description

Learn about file systems, folders, and files in computer systems. Understand the concepts of home folders, desktop folders, and root folders. Discover how files are used to save user data and more.