← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

OS function: managing files

An OS function that keeps track of files and folders, lets users create, name, open, copy, move and delete them, and records where each file is stored.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 4.1 Types of Software and Interrupts — Module 17, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Network Communications — Module 138

Understanding OS function: managing files in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What it does: The path shows the folder structure: Biology is inside Science, which is inside School, and the OS records the file's location this way. The OS checks permissions before allowing access, so a guest with read-only access cannot change the file. File management means the OS tracks files and folders and records where each file is stored on the storage device. Moving takes the file out of its old folder and places it in the new one. Copying leaves the original where it was and makes a duplicate. Folders can hold files and other folders (subfolders). This creates a hierarchy that makes files easier to organise and find.

Common mistakes: rm deletes files and folders. To create a new folder the OS needs mkdir Homework, otherwise the later cd Homework fails. mv moves the file, so the original disappears from Documents. To make a copy and keep the original, use cp report.txt backup/.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 373–389) and word search (Modules 356–389).

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Learning
Duo
Which statement describes the OS function of managing files?
The OS keeps track of files and folders and records where each file is storedThe OS only stores files inside the CPU registers
Matches
move photo.jpg D:\Pictures\ (the original photo.jpg is still in the old folder)
↓
Moving a file takes it out of the old folder, so the original should not remain. Leaving it behind describes copying, not moving.
Applying
Meanings
Term
file management
Meaning
An OS function that keeps track of files and folders, lets users create, name, open, copy, move and delete them, and records where each file is stored.
Practice
mkdir Homework
Testing
Gaps
homework
Check Answer
Spots
1rm Homework
2cd Homework

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Quick Questions

1. Which statement describes the OS function of managing files?
A. The OS keeps track of files and folders and records where each file is stored ✓
B. The OS only stores files inside the CPU registers
File management means the OS tracks files and folders and records where each file is stored on the storage device.
2. A student wants to put a homework file into a different folder without making a second copy. Which action is this?
A. Copying the file
B. Moving the file ✓
Moving takes the file out of its old folder and places it in the new one. Copying leaves the original where it was and makes a duplicate.
3. A student makes a duplicate of a project file as a safety backup, leaving the original in place. Which action is this?
A. Copying the file ✓
B. Deleting the file
Copying creates a second version of the file. The original stays where it is.
4. Which is a valid example of folder structure managed by the OS?
A. A folder called Homework containing a subfolder called Maths ✓
B. A folder that can only ever hold one file and no subfolders
Folders can hold files and other folders (subfolders). This creates a hierarchy that makes files easier to organise and find.
5. Two files are saved in the same folder. Which is allowed by the OS?
A. Two different files that are both named Report.docx
B. Report.docx and Report_v2.docx ✓
Within one folder, each file needs a unique name so the OS can tell the files apart and find the right one.

Match the Pairs

copy report.docx D:\Backup\ → The OS makes a duplicate of the file in a new folder while the original stays where it is
del C:\Homework\old_notes.txt → The OS removes the file from its folder so the user can no longer open it from that location
A folder structure organises files in a hierarchy, with folders placed inside other folders → C:\School\Science\Biology\cells.docx
File permissions control who can read or write a file, and the OS enforces them → report.docx: user = read and write, guest = read only
move photo.jpg D:\Pictures\ (the original photo.jpg is still in the old folder) → Moving a file takes it out of the old folder, so the original should not remain. Leaving it behind describes copying, not moving.
Two files in the same folder are both named essay.docx → Two files in the same folder cannot share a name because the OS would not know which file is being asked for.

Key Term

file management
An OS function that keeps track of files and folders, lets users create, name, open, copy, move and delete them, and records where each file is stored.

Fill in the Blanks

1. mkdir homework
Hint: Type the command that creates a new folder.
2. cp report.txt backup/
Hint: Type the command that makes a copy of a file in another folder.
3. mv report.txt archive/
Hint: Type the command that moves a file to a different folder.
4. rm old_notes.txt
Hint: Type the command that deletes a file.
5. chmod -w report.txt
Hint: Type the option that takes away the write permission from the file.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A rm Homework
B cd Homework
C touch essay.txt
D ls
Line A — rm deletes files and folders. To create a new folder the OS needs mkdir Homework, otherwise the later cd Homework fails.
Question 2
A # Copy report to backup
B cd Documents
C mv report.txt backup/
Line C — mv moves the file, so the original disappears from Documents. To make a copy and keep the original, use cp report.txt backup/.
Question 3
A # Move photo to Pictures
B cp photo.jpg Pictures/
C ls Pictures
Line B — cp copies the file and leaves the original where it was. Moving a file needs mv photo.jpg Pictures/.
Question 4
A # Delete the old draft
B cd Documents
C ls
D rm draft old.txt
Line D — The space makes the OS read two file names, draft and old.txt. The file name must be written as one name: draft_old.txt.
Question 5
A # Make notes.txt read only
B chmod +w notes.txt
C ls -l notes.txt
Line B — +w adds write permission, so users could still change the file. To make it read only, remove write permission with chmod -w notes.txt.

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