File System and File Management Terms

Paste

A file management operation where a user specifies that he or she wants Windows to place a file in a folder. If the user performed a cut, then the original file will be moved to the new location. If the user performed a copy, an exact duplicate of the file will be placed in the new location, so that the same information exists in both files.

File

A group of related data that is accessed together with a name (known as a filename). For example, all the words that make up the story, My Dog Spot, might be stored as Spot.doc

Folder

A virtual location on a storage device that can hold files. Normally, folders are used to store files that are related to each other in some way.

Directory

Another name for a folder

Storage Device

Anything that data (files and folders) can be stored on to be opened at a later time.

Copy

File management operation where a user specifies that he/she wants Windows to create an exact copy of a file

Cut

File management operation where a user specifies that he/she wants Windows to prepare a file for being moved/deleted

C-Drive

Highest level on the file system because all files and folders are stored underneath it

Drive Letter

On a Windows machine, a way that storage devices are accessed by the user. Windows is most commonly installed on the C: drive, however, this is not always the case.

File Extension

The letters at the end of a filename after the dot. For example, a Word document has the file extension of .doc. So, if you have a Word document called, My Dog Spot, its filename including the extension is MyDogSpot.doc. On most Windows systems, the file extension is hidden. Windows uses file extensions to know what program to use to open a file.

Filename

The name given to a file.

File System

The system that a computer uses to manage files and folders. On a Windows system, the file system uses a file and folder metaphor which make file arrangement resemble a filing cabinet.

Drag-and-Drop

To press and hold the left mouse button while over a file. While still holding the button, you move your mouse around, which causes the icon to move. You let go of the mouse button to drop, or move, the file.

Double-Click

To press the left mouse button and let it go quickly two times in a row

Subfolder

a folder within a folder

Views

different ways of representing files in a folder Views change how the icons look but do not affect the data in files.

Left-Click

to press the left mouse button and let it go

Right-Click

to press the right mouse button and then let it go