IC3 Computing Fundamentals Lesson 4

file properties

Characteristics that help you locate and organize files.

handheld operating system

Operating system for mobile devices.

administrative rights

Permission to make changes on a computer system.

Incompatibility

Certain application software programs only work on certain operating systems

emulation card

A card that provides the ability for the computer to run a program that was designed for a different operating system.

hidden file

A file like any other except it is not displayed in a folder window.

application file

A file that is part of an application program, such as a word-processing program, a graphics program, and so on.

data file

A file you create when working with an application program.

icon

A graphic image or symbol that represents applications (programs), files, disk drives, documents, embedded objects, or linked objects.

Recycle Bin

A holding area for files and folders before their final deletion from the hard drive (C:)

shortcut

A pointer to an application or document file; double-clicking the shortcut icon opens the actual item to which the shortcut is pointing.

Search Box

Allows you to find files within an identified folder or drive

Control Key

Hold this key to select non sequential (not in order) files

Control Panel

A program accessed from the Windows Start menu that provides specialized features used to change the way Windows looks and behaves.

Desktop Gadget

A small program such as a clock or calendar.

system administrator

A user who has unrestricted users rights who can set up individual user rights on computers

Windows Computer

A utility program designed to help you find, view, and manage files easily and effectively.

Linux

A variant of the UNIX operating system that was developed by AT&T. It is considered portable, meaning it can run on just about any hardware platform.

system file

An essential file necessary for running Windows or another operating system.

Folders

Areas on a hard disk or floppy disk used to store files

Files

Electronic collections of data that you create and save on a computer

Shift Key

Hold this key to select a group of files

Descending Order

Largest to smallest (Z to A)

File Management

Organizing & keeping track of your files

DOS

Short for Disk Operating System, was the first widely-installed operating system for personal computers

embedded operating system

Similar in principle to operating systems such as Windows or Linux, embedded operating systems are smaller and generally less capable than desktop operating systems.

Ascending Order

Smallest to largest (A to Z)

operating system (OS)

System software that provides an interface between the user or application program and the computer hardware.

Mac OS X

The Macintosh operating system.

active window

The window currently in use. The title bar of the active window is always darker (or displayed in a different color) to distinguish it from other open windows that may be visible in a tiled or cascaded screen.

File Corruption

This can occur as the result of a power failure, a virus, outdated drivers, etc.

Disk Crashes

Unstable computers cause programs or operating systems to shut down unexpectedly or give you error message.