Files Homework Solution

1. Why are GUIs more popular than command-line interfaces? Why are command-line interfaces still in use? [6]

   Beginning users find the graphical user interface easier to learn.

   There is no need to memorise a long list of commands and their options.

   Advanced users find that commands are occasionally faster and more powerful than using a GUI.

   Typing a command may be quicker than moving the mouse, and a complex command can be made from just a few characters.

   However, even advanced users often prefer the convenience and intuitive use of GUIs.

2. Write the names of five special characters which cannot be used in file names, and explain the uses of three of them.
   For example, a dot or period (.) is used to separate file name and extension. [8]

   To see a list of special characters, try renaming a file to the colon character (:).

   You will see "A file name cannot contain any of the following characters: \ / : * ? " < > |"

   \ backslash, used to represent MS-DOS folders

   / forward slash, used to represent Web folders

   : colon, used after drive letters (A:, C:, D:, etc.)

   * asterisk or star, used to represent one or more letters in a file search

   ? question mark, used to represent one letter in a file search

   " double quotes, used to enclose a file name that contains spaces

   < less than sign, used to get input from a file or device

   > greater than sign, used to send output to a file or device

   | pipe or vertical bar, used to redirect output from one command to be the input of another command

3. Agnes is an office worker would like to create a folder structure to store files on her hard disk. She would like to store all user files in the My Documents folder and to create a folder for herself and her co-worker Beatrice. In her folder she would like folders for proposals, reports, meetings and correspondence. In the reports folder she has a Word document named 2002 Annual Report.
   1. Draw a folder tree to display this folder and file structure. [5]
   2. Write the full path name of the Word document (as it would appear in the Address box of Windows Explorer). [3]

   C:\My Documents\Agnes\reports\2002 Annual Report.doc

4. List the steps you would take to:
   1. find an Excel spreadsheet containing the text "staff salaries" on a floppy disk. [5]

   Insert your floppy disk in the floppy drive. Click Start, Find (or Search), Files or Folders. In the "look in" box select "3 1/2 Floppy (A:)". In the "containing text" box type "staff salaries." In the "Search for files or folders named" box, type *.xls.

   2. recover a file you accidentally deleted. [5]

   Open My Computer or Windows Explorer. Open the recycle bin. Select the file you deleted. Click View, Details to see which folder it will be restored to. Click the File menu and click Restore. Browse to the folder where it is stored. Double-click to open.

5. What is a virus? What measures should be taken to prevent viruses? [8]

   A virus is a program which makes copies of itself in memory and on disk and spreads to other computers through the Internet and . Viruses can cause damage to files, programs and sometimes even hardware.

   To prevent viruses, make sure an anti-virus program is installed on every computer you use and use it to scan outside files and disks for viruses. Avoid opening documents and running programs from untrustworthy sources (e.g. spam and Internet advertising).