C:\My Music\Reggae\Marley One Love.Mp3
| Drive letter | Primary folder | Secondary folder | File name | File extension |
An operating system maintains a list of files called a directory for each storage disk, tape, CD, or DVD. The main directory of a disk is referred to as the root directory. A root directory can be subdivided into smaller lists. Each list is called a subdirectory. When you use Windows, Mac OS, or a Linux graphical file manager, these subdirectories are depicted as folders. Folders can be created within other folders. (See the example, mentioned above) A folder name is separated from a drive letter and other folder names by a special symbol. In Microsoft Windows, this symbol is the backslash (\). By storing a file in a folder, you assign it a place in an organized hierarchy of folders and files.
If an operating system attaches special significance to a symbol, you might not be able to use it in a file name. For example, Windows uses the colon (:) character to separate the device letter from a file name or folder, as in C:Music. When you use Windows applications, avoid using the symbols: * \ < > | " / and ? in file names.
Some operating systems also contain a list of reserved words that are used as commands or special identifiers. You cannot use these words alone as a file name. Windows users should avoid using the following reserved words as file names: Nul, Aux, Com1, Com2, Com3, Com4, Con, Lpt1, Lpt2, Lpt3, and Prn.
Some operating systems are case sensitive, but not those you typically work with on personal computers. Feel free to use uppercase and lowercase letters in file names that you create on PCs and Macs.
You can also use spaces in file names. That’s a different rule than for e-mail addresses where spaces are not allowed. You’ve probably noticed that people often use underscores or periods instead of spaces in e-mail addresses such as [email protected]. That convention is not necessary in file names, so a file name such as Letter to Madi Jones is valid.
A file extension is an optional file identifier that is separated from the main file name by a period, as in Paint.exe. With some operating systems, such as Windows, file extensions work like tickets that admit people to different plays, movies, or concerts. If a file has the right extension for a particular application program, you'll see it in the list of files you can open with that software. A file extension is related to the file format, which is defined as the arrangement of data in a file and the coding scheme used to represent the data. Files containing graphics are usually stored using a different file format than files containing text. Most software have a native file format (.doc for MSWord, .pdf for AdobeAcrobat etc.)
To designate a file’s location, you must first specify where the file is stored. Each of PC’s storage devices is identified by a device letter (A:, C:, D:) – a convention that is specific to DOS and Windows. A device letter is usually followed by a colon, so drive A could be designated as A: or as 3.5" Floppy (A:).
The main hard disk drive is usually referred to as “drive C.” Additional storage devices can be assigned letters D through Z. Although most PCs stick to the standard of drive A for the floppy disk drive and drive C for the hard disk drive, the device letters for CD, Zip, and DVD drives are not standardized.
A file contains data, stored as a group of bits. The more bits, the larger the file. File size is usually measured in bytes, kilobytes, or megabytes. Comparedto small files, large files fill up storage space more quickly, require longer transmission times, and are more likely to be stripped off e-mail attachments by a mail server.
Your computer keeps track of the date that a file was created or last modified. The file date is useful if you have created several versions of a file and want to make sure you know which version is the most recent.
Comprehension сheck. Mark the following statements as True or False.
1. When you create a file, you should give it a proper name according to file-naming conventions.
2. Windows limits the length of file names up to 265 characters.
3. Users must store a file in a folder to appoint it a place in a hierarchical structure of folders and files.
4. Operating systems add special significance to certain symbols that you should avoid in file names.
5. A file extension is a compulsory file identifier separated from the file name by a period.
6. The device letters for the floppy and hard disks are standardized.
Vocabulary practice
1. Match up the words that are similar in meaning.
| 1. stick; 2. particular; 3. contain; 4. conventions; 5. add importance; 6. be referred to as; 7. retrieve; 8. whole; 9. character; 10. assign; 11. proper; 12. arrangement; 13. alter. | a) attach significance; b) symbol; c) layout; d)appoint; e) be defined as; f) modify; g) valid; h) adhere; i) rules; j) certain; k) include; l) strip off; m) entire. |
2. Fill in the blanks choosing out of the variants given.
1. A valid file requires adhering to specific rules called file-naming … .
a) conditions b) conventions c) conversions d) contents
2. Drive letter, folders, file name and extension restrict the whole file path which is referred to as a file … .
a) location b) identification c) specification d) format
3. A list of files for each storage medium is defined as a … .
a) scheme b) directory c) modification d) application
4. … e-mail addresses, a valid file name may contain spaces.
a) instead of b) compared to c) like d) unlike
5. A native file format is supported by most …, e. g. .doc for MSWord.
a) processors b) hardware c) software d) servers
6. A character generally following a device letter is a … .
a) backslash b) period c) asterisk d) colon
7. If a user wants to find the most recent version of a created file, the file … will be useful.
a) name b) size c) date d) extension
8. The file format means the … of data and a coding scheme representing the data.
a) management b) attachment c) appointment d) arrangement
9. To pad storage space, files of a bigger size require … time than small file
a) more b) less c) higher d) lower
3. Make two -word combinations using the words in columns and then fill in the gaps in the following sentences.
A: a) root B: words
b) maximum sensitive
c) application attachments
d) file directory
e) e-mail formats
f) reserved program
g) case length
1. Some operating systems which allow you to use uppercase and lowercase letters in file names are not … .
2. Large files can be easily stripped off … by mail server.
3. Graphical files and files containing text are saved in different … .
4. A … of file names is restricted in file-naming conventions.
5. The … is the main directory of a disk.
6. A file with the relevant extension for a particular … will be seen in the list of files of that software.
7. There are … that represent commands or special identifiers and can’t be used alone as a file name.
4. Fill in the gaps in the text.
A computer _1_ is a named collection of data that exists on a storage medium, such as a hard disk, floppy disk, CD, DVD, or tape. Every file has a name and might also have a file extension. The rules that specify valid file names are called _2_. These rules do not allow you to use certain characters or _3_ words in a file name. A file _4_ is usually related to a file format – the arrangement of data in a file and the coding scheme used to represent the data. A software program’s _5_ file format is the default format for storing files created with that program.
A file’s location is defined by a file _6_ sometimes called a “path”, which includes the storage device, folder(s), file name and extension. In Windows, storage devices are identified by a _7_ letter, followed by a colon. An operating system maintains a list of files called a _8_ for each storage disk, tape, CD, or DVD. The main directory of a disk is sometimes referred to as the _9_ directory, which can be subdivided into several smaller lists called subdirectories that are depicted as _10_.
Speaking. Discuss the following questions.
1. What is a computer file?
2. What are the rules for naming files?
3. Is there a maximum length for file names?
4. What is the purpose of folders?
5. Why are certain characters not allowed in a file name?
6. What are reserved words?
7. What is the difference between e-mail addresses and file names?
8. Are file extensions important?
9. How can you designate a file’s location?
10. What is the significance of a file’s size?
11. Why is the file date useful?
Text B
Pre-reading. Match the English words with their Russian equivalents.
| 1.storage bin | a) строка меню |
| 2. dialog box | b) индексный файл |
| 3. tip | c) диалоговое окно |
| 4. menu bar | d) совет |
| 5. index file | e) запоминающий буфер |
Reading. Read the text and try to guess the meaning of the words in bold. Check your variants in the dictionary.
FILE MANAGEMENT
File management encompasses any procedure that helps you organize your computer-based files so that you can find and use them more efficiently. Depending on your computer’s operating system, you can organize and manipulate your files from within an application program or by using a special file management utility the operating system provides.
Application-based file management
Applications, such as word processing software or graphics software, typically provide a way to open files and save them in a specific folder on a designated storage device. Take a look at an example of the file management capabilities in a typical Windows application — Microsoft Word.
As you type the document, it is held in RAM. If you want to save the document, you click File on the menu bar, and then select the Save As option. The Save As dialog box opens and allows you to specify a name for the file and its location on one of your computer’s storage devices.
The difference between the two options is subtle, but useful. The Save As option allows you to select a name and storage device for a file, whereas the Save option simply saves the latest version of a file under its current name and at its current location. If you want to save a new file without a name, your application displays the Save As dialog box, even though you selected the Save option.
Windows explorer
As an example of a file management utility, take a closer look at Windows Explorer, a utility program bundled with the Windows operating system and designed to help you organize and manipulate the files stored on your computer.
The Windows Explorer window is divided into two “window panes” (see figure 5 on the following page).
In addition to locating files and folders, Windows Explorer provides a set of procedures that help you manipulate files and folders in the following ways:
- Rename
- Copy.
- Move. When you move a file, it is erased from its original location, so make sure you remember the new location of the file.
- Delete.
File management tips
The following tips pertain to managing files on your computer.
-Use descriptive names. Give your files and folders descriptive names, and avoid using cryptic abbreviations.
-Maintain file extensions. When renaming a file, keep the original file extension so that you can easily open it with the correct application software.
- Group similar files. Separate files into folders based on subject matter.
- Organize your folders from the top down. When devising a hierarchy of folders, consider how you want to access files and back them up.
- Do not mix data files and program files. Do not store data files in the folders that hold your software
Fig. 5: The Windows Explorer window
- Don’t store files in the root directory. Although it is acceptable to create folders in the root directory, it is not a good practice to store programs or data files in the root directory of your computer’s hard disk.
- Access files from the hard disk. For best performance, copy files from floppy disks or CDs to your computer's hard disk before accessing them.
- Delete or archive files you no longer need. Deleting unneeded files and folders helps keep your list of files from growing to an unmanageable size.
- Be aware of storage locations. When you save files, make sure the drive letter and folder name specify the correct storage location.