Guide to High School Computer Science
  • 💻Introduction
    • windows & Python Development
    • macOS & Python Development
    • Visual Studio Code Settings
    • Set up Github
    • Author Page
  • 🧠Prerequisite Skills
    • Keyboard Typing
    • Files & Directories
    • Use of Command Line
    • Git & GitHub
    • Markdown
    • Starting Your Python Project
  • 🐍Python Programming
    • 🍎Python Basics
      • What is Python?
      • Procedural Programming & Programming Paradigms
      • String Formatting
      • Data Types
      • Input & Output to Console
      • Working with Numbers
      • Useful Built-in Functions
      • Math & Random Module
      • Boolean Data Object
      • Comparison, Logical, and Membership Operators
      • If Statements
      • Binary Decisions
      • Multiple Decisions
      • Nested Conditions
      • [EXTRA] Bitwise Operators
      • [EXTRA] Python Style Guide
    • ⏮️Iterations
      • Introduction to While Loops
      • Infinite Loop
      • Controlling Your While Loops
      • Introduction to For Loops
      • For Loops w/ Numeric Sequences
      • For Loops w/ Strings & Lists
      • Iterable Functions w/ For Loops
    • 📦Collections
      • Strings
        • String Basics
        • String Indexing
        • String Slicing
        • String Operators & Functions
        • Basic String Methods
        • String Methods Extended
        • String Methods Document
      • Tuples & Lists
        • Tuples
        • List Basics
        • List are Mutable
        • Adding Items to a List
        • Removing Items from a List
        • Search & Reverse a List
        • List Comprehension
        • List Methods Document
      • Sets
      • Dictionary
      • How to Store Multiple Data Items
    • 💡Defining Functions
      • Functions
      • print() vs return
      • Pre-determined Arguments
      • Nested Functions
      • Map & Filter
      • [Extra] Dynamic Arguments
    • 💾File I/O
      • How to Save Text to an External File
      • Reading CSV in Python
      • Reading JSON in Python
    • 🔨Basic Python Projects
      • Basic Calculator
        • Improving the calculator
        • Exercise Set 1
        • Exercise Set 2
        • 💎Streamlit Application #1
      • Basic Password Generator
        • Exercise Set 3
        • Exercises Related to Math
        • 💎Streamlit Application #2
      • A To-Do Task List
    • ⏳Introduction to Algorithmic Thinking
      • Big-O Notation
      • Basic Algorithms
        • Linear Search
        • Binary Search
        • Basic Sorting Algorithms
      • Recursion
      • Brute Force Algorithms
      • Greedy Algorithm
        • Time on Task (CCC 2013 J4)
        • Dijkstra’s Algorithm
      • Divide and Conquer
        • Merge Sort
      • Dynamic Programming
    • 🤯Object Oriented Programming
      • Class & Objects (Definitions)
      • OOP in Python
      • Encapsulation
      • Polymorphism
      • Inheritance & Overriding
      • Override Magic Methods
      • Case Study: 2D Vectors
      • Case Study: Deck of Cards
      • Exercise
      • Abstract Data Types
      • Case Study: Static 1D Array From Java
    • Competitive Programming
      • Is This Sum Possible?
        • Is the dataset sorted?
        • Searching for a value
        • Determine if the difference between an integer from the array and the target value exists
        • Sorting Algorithms
        • Using Two Pointers
      • Two Sum - LeetCode
        • Generate all possible pairs of values
        • Subtract each value from the target, see if the difference exists in the list
      • Longest Common Prefix - LeetCode
        • Compare all possible prefixes
        • Create the longest common prefix with the direct neighbour
      • Length of Last Word - LeetCode
        • Compare all possible prefixes
      • Where can I go from one point to another?
      • Sample Outline
    • IB Recipe Book
  • 💾Python & Databases
    • Intro to Databases & Data Modeling
      • Common Data Types in SQL
      • Introduction to ERDs
      • Primary Keys and Foreign Keys
      • Database Normalization
    • What is SQL?
      • Getting Started
      • SELECT Queries
        • Selection with Conditions
        • Selection with Fuzziness
        • Selection and Sorting in Order
        • Selection without Duplicates
        • Selection with Limited Number of Outputs
      • AGGREGATE Queries
        • Counting Rows
        • Sum, Average, Min/Max Queries
        • Working with Aggregate Queries
        • Power of using Groups
        • Exercise
      • Interacting with Multiple Table
      • Inserting Data
      • External Resource
  • ☕Java Essentials
    • Basics
      • Starting Java
      • Data & Variables
      • Handling User Inputs & Type Conversion
      • Arithmetic
      • IPO Model
      • Basic Built-in Methods
      • Exercise Questions
    • Conditionals
      • Boolean Operators
      • Compare Strings
      • If Statements
      • If Else Statements
      • Making Multiple Decisions
      • Using Switch
      • Flowchart Symbols
      • Exercise Questions
    • Iterations
      • While Loops
      • For Loop
      • Exercises
    • Java Type Casting
    • Strings
      • Common String Practices
      • String Formatting
      • Java Special Characters
    • Collection
      • Arrays
      • For Each Loop
      • ArrayList
      • Exercise Questions
    • Static Methods
      • (Aside) Clearing your Console
    • Randomness in Java
    • Delayed Output in Java
    • Java Output Formatting
    • Java Style Guide
  • 🛠️JavaScript Programming
    • Our Programming Editor & Workflow
      • Hello, world!
      • Commenting & Variables
      • Data in JavaScript
      • Operators
      • String Formatting
      • Getting User Input
    • JavaScript Exercise Set 1
    • Making Decisions
      • Comparing Values
      • Combining Boolean Comparisons
      • Creating Branches
    • JavaScript Exercise Set 2
    • While Loops
      • Infinite While Loop
      • While Loops and Numbers
      • While Loops and Flags
      • While loops w/ Strings
    • JavaScript Exercise Set 3
    • Subprograms & Functions
      • Creating a Function in JavaScript
      • Function with Input and Assignable Output
    • JavaScript Exercise Set 4
  • 💾Topics in CS
    • Computer Environments & Systems
      • Computer Components
        • In-depth Explanations
      • File Maintenance
      • Computer & Safety
      • Software Development
      • Bits & Binary
    • Careers related to Computer Science
    • Postsecondary Opportunities
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On this page
  • Important Terminologies
  • File
  • Directory
  1. Prerequisite Skills

Files & Directories

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Last updated 5 months ago

A file directory structure of a basic web application

Important Terminologies

File

A computer file is a digital container that stores information, data, or instructions in a structured and organized manner.

It can hold a wide range of content, including text, images, audio, video, software code, and more. Files are fundamental units of data storage and manipulation within a computer's file system.

Each file is typically identified by a name and is stored within a directory structure. Files are created, opened, edited, saved, and deleted by users or software applications. They allow for the preservation and exchange of data across different systems and platforms.

Various file formats exist, each tailored to specific types of data, and they define how the data is stored, interpreted, and presented. Files enable computers to handle complex tasks by providing a means to organize and access data efficiently, contributing to the functionality and versatility of modern computing systems.

File Extensions

File extensions are suffixes added to the end of a computer file's name, separated by a dot. They consist of a few characters and indicate the format or type of the file.

For instance:

  • .txt --> indicates a plain text file,

  • .jpg --> represents an image in JPEG format.

  • .py --> a python file extension

  • .java --> a java file extension

File extensions help both users and software identify how to handle a file, enabling compatibility and proper display or execution.

Directory

Commonly known as a folder, it provides a way to organize and store files and other directories in a hierarchical manner on a computer's file system.

Benefits:

  1. Organization: Directories help keep related files together, making it easier to locate and manage data.

  2. Hierarchy: Directories create a clear hierarchy that mimics how information is categorized and managed in real-world scenarios.

  3. Navigation: Users and applications can navigate through directories to access the files they need. This is often done through file managers or command-line interfaces.

  4. Isolation: Files in different directories can have the same name without conflict, as long as they're in different paths.

  5. Security: Directories can have permissions and access control settings applied to them, allowing for better control over who can access or modify the contained files.

  6. Cleanliness: Organizing files into directories reduces clutter in a file system and makes maintenance easier.

The $HOME directory

(often represented as ~ or referred to as the "home directory")

A concept in -like operating systems, including Linux and macOS. It's a crucial part of the file system hierarchy and serves as the default directory where a user's personal files and settings are stored. Each user on a Unix-like system has their own unique home directory.

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Unix