Operating Systems I

1. Operating Systems I Navigating the File System

2. Primary Learning Objective Understand and navigate the file system

3. Specific Learning Objectives • Identify and define the terms associated with the file system. • Understand the concept of the Full Path or MS-DOS Path • Use My Computer and Explorer to navigate through a Windows file system. • Navigate the directory tree using the Command Line Interface • View the directory using the DIR command

4. The features that an operating system uses for naming, organizing, storing, and tracking directories (folders) and files. For example, a hierarchical file system is one that uses directories to organize files into a tree structure. File systems have drives, root directories, sub-directories, and files File System

5. Drives • A name assigned by the operating system to all or part of the storage space on a physical disk (such as a hard disk, a floppy disk, zip disk, or CD-ROM) • A hard disk drive can be partitioned to make several logical drives. Such as a D: and E: drives in addition to the C: drive • The drive name includes both the letter and the colon (C:)

6. Directory • A special file that keeps track of a group related objects such as sub-directories and files. • Also called a folder in Windows OSs • The top most directory on a drive is known as the root directory which is symbolized by the \ (back slash). • A directory containing sub-directories is called a parent directory.

7. Files • Files display different types of icons to help identify what type of file they are. • Files usually have have a three (3) letter extension. See pages 57-60 in CLI Book and page 53 in XP Book • Executable files (files that contain program code that the OS can load into memory (RAM) and run) have a .exe, .com or .bat extension

8. The File System

9. Full Path (MS-DOS Path) • Windows operating systems use the full path to locate and load software. It also uses it to find and open folders and files. • The notation that identifies the exact location of a file or folder (directory) on a disk. • A related concept is the PATH command which tells the OS where to find executable files it requires.

10. Full Path C:\Classes\MCT260\homework3.doc • The full path of a file will display the drive name, the folder name(s) that identify the location of the file and the filename. • The backslash after the drive name ( \ ) refers to the top-level folder known as the root directory. • All of the other backslashes ( \ ) called delimiters separate the names of two related folders or a folder and the file name.

11. Absolute & Relative Paths • A full path that includes the backslash ( \ ) before the name of the first directory is known as an absolute path. • \Classes\MCT260\homework3.doc • A relative path always starts from the current drive and directory and never begins with a backslash. It is used to identify a sub-directory or file beneath the current drive and directory. • C:\Classes>CDMCT260\homework3.doc

12. Folder Options • Found in the Tools menu now. In earlier OS’s, it was in the View menu. • General Tab • View Tab • File Types

13. Navigating with My Computer • How information is displayed in My Computer • Opening folders in their own windows vs the same window • Classic vs Web style • Viewing options

14. Object-Oriented Operating System • The newer Windows based operating system treats almost everything on the computer as an object. • Hardware devices and software applications are objects, Even parts of a word processor document such as a word or sentence are objects. • Objects have associated actions and properties.

15. Actions and Properties • Action are operations you perform on objects such as copying or renaming • Properties are characteristics of an object such as size • The actions and properties are displayed on short-cut or context menus • Right-clicking the object will display the short-cut or context menus

16. Navigating with Windows Explorer Opening Windows Explorer • Folders button on My Computer • Right-click Start button • From Accessories on Start Menu now • Windows key + E Features of the Windows Explorer window • Panes. • Title and address bars • Expand View box + +

17. Command Line Interface When viewing a directory using the DIR command you will notice that even an empty directory shows that it has two directories (One period = current directory and two periods = parent directory)

18. Navigating the Directory Structure Using CLI • Using the TREE command to view the directory structure • Use the Change Directory (CD) command with the absolute and relative paths. • Use the CD command and .. (parent directory) to move up through levels of directories • Use the CD command and \ (root symbol) to change to the root directory • Change the current drive

19. Review • Drives, root directory, sub-directories, and files • Full Path (absolute or relative paths) • Object-oriented operating systems • Navigating the Windows file system using My Computer and Explorer • Navigating the directory tree using the Command Line Interface

20. In-Class Exercise Requires a blank floppy disk. This directory structure will be used homework assignments. • Open Windows Explorer • Expand the drive that is mapped to the Students share point on SRP6 until you open the \MCT\MCT260\Exercise directory • Copy all the contents of the directory to the root directory of the A: drive • Practice navigating the file system as instructed by your instructor.

21. Homework Assignment • Reading • Windows XP Textbook – pp 49-59 • CLI Textbook - pp. 116-117, 129-159 • Handout • Lab Exercise 4: Navigating the File System • Homework 3: The File System • Due Date: Next Tuesday