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