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
Powered by GitBook
On this page
  • File Naming
  • Online File Managers
  • Hardware Based Backups
  • Analysis & Clean Up
  • Uninstallers
  • File Compression and Uncompression
  1. Topics in CS
  2. Computer Environments & Systems

File Maintenance

PreviousIn-depth ExplanationsNextComputer & Safety

Last updated 1 year ago

File Naming

Having a good file name is a guaranteed way to have an organized computer. Down below are some common rules to follow when naming your files.

  1. Use Descriptive Names: Choose names that clearly describe the file's content or purpose.

  2. Avoid Special Characters: Use only letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens. Avoid spaces, symbols, and other special characters.

  3. Keep it Short: Use concise names to make them easy to read and manage.

  4. Be Consistent: Use a consistent naming convention for similar files or a project.

  5. Use Dates: Add dates in a standardized format (e.g., YYYY-MM-DD) for version control or chronological organization.

  6. Use CamelCase or Underscores: Separate words with camelCase (e.g., myFile.txt) or underscores (e.g., my_file.txt) for readability.

  7. Avoid Reserved Words: Avoid using reserved keywords or characters specific to your operating system.

  8. Consider Case Sensitivity: Be aware of whether your file system is case-sensitive or not when using capital letters.

  9. Include File Extensions: Append appropriate file extensions (.docx, .jpg, .pdf) to indicate the file type.

  10. Organize into Folders: Organize files into folders to maintain a structured directory.

Online File Managers

Online file managers allow our folders and files to be stored in a . Services such as Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive and Apple iCloud are the most commonly used file managers that allow you to access your files on any device via log-in.

  • Device synchronization

  • Accessible from any device anywhere

  • Easy to share your content via link

  • Backup option if hardware or hard drive fails

  • Security is very important as all your files will be tied to your login credentials

  • Free Plans from companies will often have a storage limit

Hardware Based Backups

To use an external hard drive for data backup:

  1. Connect the External Drive: Plug your external hard drive into an available USB port on your computer.

  2. Select Backup Software: Use built-in backup software like Windows Backup or third-party backup tools (e.g., Time Machine for Mac) to set up automated backups.

  3. Configure Backup Settings: Choose the files and folders you want to back up and set a backup schedule (e.g., daily, weekly). Ensure the external drive is selected as the backup destination.

  4. Start Backup: Initiate the backup process, and the software will copy your selected files to the external drive. This may take some time depending on the data size.

  5. Regularly Update Backups: Periodically check and update your backups to ensure your data remains protected. Keep the external drive disconnected when not in use to protect against malware or data corruption.

By following these steps, you'll have a reliable backup solution using an external hard drive to safeguard your important data.

Network-attached Storage (NAS) Drive: NAS drives are external hard drives that can be connected to a network which allows the user to backup and automate backups by LAN.

Analysis & Clean Up

  • Disk Clean-up & Disk Defragmentation system tools help to clean space and optimize your hard drives (Don’t run disk defragmentation on SSD)

  • HD Analysis Applications help us to find empty space and locate storage heavy folders.

  • HD Cleaners help to remove temporary files, cookies, internet history, and unnecessary application files

Popular Applications:

  • WinDirStat (Hard Drive Space Analyzer)

  • CCleaner (Disk Cleaning Tool)

Uninstallers

Both Windows and Macs come with built-in uninstallers; however, you can also use uninstalling applications.

Main Reason: Applications leave hidden files throughout different areas of the computer. Uninstallers will find those related files and delete them too.

Popular:

  • Windows: IObit Uninstaller

  • Macs: AppCleaner

File Compression and Uncompression

File Compression: To simplify the sharing of multiple or large files, files are compressed.

To open and to create compressed files we use a system tools (Zipping Tool) or a 3rd Party Application.

Reasons to use compression tools:

  • Compress infrequent files to take up less space

  • Compress files to backup with password protections

  • Open up compress files when downloaded

  • Share a singular compressed file when sharing multiple files

💾
Best Practice to Organize Your Computer FilesYouTube
Logo