Computing Skills
Fundamentals
Lecture 3: File Management
and Windows
Overview: File Management
Files and Folders
Definitions, naming and types
File System
Pathnames
Absolute vs Relative
File Management
Basic File Operations
File Properties
Finding Files
File and Folders
What is a File?
Collection of data stored as an entity
A file stores related data
e.g. a cv, class list
File Name – consists of two parts separated by a
dot
Name - description of contents in a file
Extension – identifies the type of data contained in a
file i.e. File type
File Names are made of characters (letters of the
alphabet, numbers, dollar sign e.t.c) except:
➢ \/:*?”<>|
File and Folders
File Types
Program Files – contains a program e.g. [Link]
.msi (executable)
Document Files – files created with applications such as
Microsoft Word, Excel
[Link] created with Microsoft Word
[Link] created with Microsoft Word
Other: .doc, .xls, pptx
Plain text Files – [Link] created with Notepad
Other Examples
Graphics: .jpg,.bmp, .gif
Web Files: .html(HTML file)
Audio: .mp3, .wav
File and Folders
Folders/Directories
Containers that are used to organize files
They can contain regular files as well as other folders
Generally don’t have extensions just a name
File System
Tree-like structure showing how files and folders are arranged in
a storage device such as a hard disk
Makes it easier to save and locate files
At the top of the structure is a root folder labelled e.g. C, D, Z
C: hard disk
D: e.g. CDROM
Z:network drive
File and Folders
Sample File System structure
C: (Root)
Documents Programs
Microsoft Office
ICT121 COM111
[Link]
[Link]
Pathnames
Name for a Path taken through a file system to
reach a file
Absolute pathname
Specifies a path starting from the root
E.g. C:\documents\ICT121\[Link]
Relative pathname
Not specified from the root but from some location
within the file system
Suppose you are currently in directory Documents
Relative path to [Link] can be specified as
ICT121\[Link]
➢ i.e. the path is relative to Documents
File Management
FileManagement refers to organizing and
arranging files in a computer
Can be done through a File Manager
e.g. My Computer or Windows Explorer
Used to navigate the file system
Manage Files and Folders e.g. perform basic file
operations
View File properties
Search for files
File Management
Basic File Operations
Create – create a new file
Copy – Make copy of a file. If stored in the same folder
they cannot have the same name
Move - Move file from original location to a new one
Delete - Delete a file, i.e. move to the Recycle Bin. Empty
the bin to permanently delete the file
Rename – Change the name of the file e.g. to reflect
changes made to the contents of a file e.g.
[Link] may be renamed to [Link].
Basics File Operations
Basic file operations are found under "FILE" and
"EDIT" menus of the File Manager
Alternative is to right click file
File Properties
Fileproperties. To view information about a file or
folder, right-click it and select Properties.
Name
Location
Type
Associated program
Size
Date created , modified, and
accessed
Finding a File
Can use
1. Search box on Start menu
search results are based on text
in the file name, text in the file,
tags, and other file properties
2. Search box in a folder on a File Manager
Finding a File
Options Used
Name
Date
Type .e.g. jpg, txt, exe
Size (at least most)
Size:tiny
Size: medium
Finding a File: Using Wildcards
Wildcard: a keyboard character that is used to limit files you
want to see during a search
E.g. you want to find only files with doc extension
represent one or more unknown characters in a filename
Or you wan to locate a file but you can only remember a few
characters from the filename
➢ Can use either * or ? As follows:
* = as a substitute for 0 or more characters in a filename
E.g. ICT.* match all files that start with ICT
? = as a substitute for 1 character in a filename
????.txt Match only txt files with names of length 4
Finding a File: Using Wildcards
* = as a substitute for 0 or more characters
E.g. ICT.* match will match [Link], [Link]
? = as a substitute for 1character
????.txt match [Link], [Link]
More Examples
moswetsi*[Link] matches [Link]
moswetsi?[Link] does not match [Link]
It matches [Link]
➢ moswetsi*[Link]
➢ [Link]
Finding a File: Using Wildcards
Given these file names:
A: [Link]
B: [Link]
C: [Link]
Searches to match:
gec*.doc
gec*.*
*.doc
Finding a File: Using Wildcards
Files Names:
A: [Link]
B: [Link]
C: [Link]
Search:
gec*.doc A
gec*.* A,C
*.doc A,B
Finding a File: Using Wildcards
Files Names:
A: [Link]
B: [Link]
C: [Link]
Search:
gec??.*
gec???.txt
???[Link]
gec*.*t
gec?.txt
Finding a File: Using Wildcards
Files Names:
A: [Link]
B: [Link]
C: [Link]
Search:
gec??.* NONE
gec???.txt C
???[Link] A
gec*.*t C
gec?.txt NONE
RECAP
File: collection of related data stored as a unit
Filename: [Link] →[Link]
File Types: Program (.exe); Document (.docx); Plain text Files(.txt)
Folders/Directories: Used to organize files; Can contain regular
files/folders
File System- Tree-like structure; shows files/folders arrangement
Root Folder: shows storage device drive e.g. C, D, Z
Pathname
➢ Absolute pathname - Specifies a path starting from the root
➢ Relative pathname – Specifies path from current directory/folder
File Manager : Navigate the file system; Manage Files and Folders e.g. My
Computer
Overview: Desktop and Windows
Desktop
Introduction
Desktop Elements
Windows
Typesof Windows
Window Elements
Desktop
➢ When a computer is switched on it goes though a series of
hardware checks and then loads the operating system (booting
process)
Operating Systems manage computer resources and coordinates
and controls the existence of various application software and
hardware components in the computer
Our course uses Microsoft Windows (family of operating systems)
In the lab
Windows XP or Windows 7
Moodle instructions and screenshots are based on Windows XP
If using Windows 7 or later versions you will see a slight difference in the
interface
Desktop
After OS loads
➢ A login screen is then presented at which point the
user should type in their username and password
This step ensures that the user is authorized to use the
computer
Once the user is accepted a Desktop is displayed
➢ Next what is a desktop?
Windows Desktop
Example: Windows 7 Desktop
Start
Windows Explorer
Taskbar
Desktop
Think of it as a Workspace with tools that enable
you to get work done e.g. file management
tasks, running software applications
Basic Features
The Taskbar
My Computer
Folders and Files
My Documents
Desktop: Basic Features
The Taskbar
The bar is found at the bottom of the screen it includes
➢ Start Menu button (button labeled start or as a Windows
Logo)
➢ Clock
➢ Buttons representing running/open programs
For Windows XP
For Windows 7
Desktop: Basic Features
The Taskbar
Clicking on Start gives access to settings, help, and
other programs NB: This might not be available on public/lab computers
Desktop: Basic Features
My Computer/Computer/Windows Explore
Allows you to see what drives are attached to your computer
i.e. gives access to storage devices such as disk drives,
CDROM drives, USB flash drives
Desktop: Basic Features
Recycle Bin
Similar to a waste paper basket
Contains files and folders a user wants to delete
These files and folders can be restored if user
changes their mind
Bin can be emptied by user to permanently
delete files
Desktop: Basic Features
My Documents
Storage location for personal users data in
the form of files and folders
Desktop: Basic Features
Background
Screen that contains all the mentioned Windows
objects
Can be plain or have a picture known as a
Wallpaper
Icons: small pictures that represent Microsoft
Windows features/components
Buttons: rectangular objects that may have either
an icon or some text (e.g. the word "Start")
They can be clicked to access Windows functions.
Window?
Starting an application or opening a document
displays its “window” also known as user interface
on the screen
The window provides means through which a user can
interact with a program or document
Forms part of an open program or document
It has icons , menus, and other objects through which
an application is commanded to carryout various
tasks
Types of Windows
Program Window
Applications e.g. Word, Internet Explorer
Application Window
Open document within the applicable
program
Example: WordPad (see following slide)
Folder Window
A folder, like “My Documents” that may
contain other folders
WordPad Document Window
Launching WordPad will open a window such as the
one below
Window Elements
Title Bar
Shows name of open application and name of
current document
Window controls
Minimize/maximize/Restore/Close Buttons i.e.
Window Elements
Ribbon
Series of icons representing commands stored on
different tabs
Each tab contains groups of related commands
e.g. font group
Example Ribbon : MS Word
Window Elements
Scroll Bars
Often appear at the bottom and on the right
hand side of a window, used if there is a lot of
content that doesn’t fit within the window
Status Bar
This gives additional information about the
document
e.g. in WordPad, it could display the total
number of pages and the current page in the
document being edited.
Window Elements
Menu Bar
Strip of menus, identified by their names
Clicking on a menu name allows access to the
menu options.
➢ E.g. Common menu names are File, Edit, and View,
through which the associated functions are
accessed.
Quick Access Tool Bar
Strip of icons representing menu bar commands
Allows quick access to some menus
Example Window: Moodle
Summary
Starting a computer
Loads Operating System
Login screen- username and password
Desktop
The Taskbar
My Computer
Folders and Files
My Documents
Background - plain or has picture known as a Wallpaper
Icons: small pictures representing features/components
Buttons: rectangular objects with icon or some text
Window
User interface-interacts with open application or folder
Types of Windows: Program, Application, Folder
Parts (Elements) of a Window
Status bar
Scrollbars
Ribbon
Quick access toolbar
Menu bar
Title bar
Thank you
Questions???