Chapter 4 File Basics

2Practical PC 5 th Edition Chapter 4 Getting Started In this Chapter, you will learn: − What is a file − How to save a file − How to open a file within an application − How to open a file from Windows − About hardware storage technologies

3Practical PC 5 th Edition Chapter 4 What is a file? A file is a collection of data that has a name and is stored on a hard disk or portable media – A file is stored in a specific file format – The main file format that an application works with is its native file format – To keep track of formats, applications use file extension (i.e..jpg) – Windows sets up an association between software and file extensions behind the scenes – You should not change a file extension unless you have a reason to do so

4Practical PC 5 th Edition Chapter 4 How do I save a file? To transfer your data to disk storage, you can use the Save or Save As commands – Use a unique name Modern applications allow you to use long file names more than 255 letters and numerals Windows is not case sensitive – Specify where to save the file Storage devices have a device letter such as C:\ Folders allow you to group files for easy retrieval

5Practical PC 5 th Edition Chapter 4 How do I save a file? Using the Save and Save As Commands

6Practical PC 5 th Edition Chapter 4 How do I save a file? Choosing a name and location for a file

7Practical PC 5 th Edition Chapter 4 How do I open a file from within an application? Selecting the Open command produces a dialog box to help you select a file – Applications typically store their files in a particular folder – If you try to open a file that is not in the application’s native format the application may try to convert it – Changing file formats can come in handy with graphics and music files

8Practical PC 5 th Edition Chapter 4 How do I open a file from Windows? To open a file in Windows, double-click any file name or file icon The quickest way to open files are the following: – Use the file’s icon on the Windows desktop – Open the Start menu and then use the Search box – Open the Start menu and select the Recent Items list

9Practical PC 5 th Edition Chapter 4 How do I open a file from Windows? Opening a file from Windows

10Practical PC 5 th Edition Chapter 4 Hardware: Storage technologies There are three major categories of storage technologies: magnetic, optical, and solid state Magnetic – Hard disk, floppy disk, and tape storage – Data stored by magnetizing microscopic particles on the disk or tape surface – Data can be easily and quickly accessed, changed or deleted – Can lose magnetic charge or be altered by dust or magnetic fields

11Practical PC 5 th Edition Chapter 4 Hardware: Storage technologies Optical – CD and DVD – Records data as microscopic light and dark spots – Durable media that lasts up to 30 years Solid state storage – Flash memory such as memory sticks, UFD’s and SD memory cards – Stores data in erasable, rewriteable circuitry – Durable and relatively fast with no moving parts – Offers less capacity than hard disks or DVD’s

12Practical PC 5 th Edition Chapter 4 Hardware: Storage technologies Optical disc showing multiple layers and a close up view of the surface

13Practical PC 5 th Edition Chapter 4 Hardware: Storage technologies Solid state storage uses circuitry to store data

14Practical PC 5 th Edition Chapter 4 How permanent are electronic files? What do you think? – Do you have any electronic files that you would want to access thirty or forty years from now? – Can you think of any business or government agency that might have a problem accessing archival data in the future? – Do you think most people are aware of the potential problem relating to accessing archival data?

15Practical PC 5 th Edition Chapter 4 Chapter Summary You should now be able to: − Understand files − Save a file − Open a file within an application − Open a file from Windows − Use various hardware storage technologies