Operating Systems and File Management
Questions here cover what an operating system does, types of OS, GUI versus CLI, and practical Windows file operations - paths, extensions and search wildcards.
Functions of an OS
Process management (scheduling, creation, termination), memory management (allocation, virtual memory), file management, device management through drivers, security and access control, and the user interface. Types: batch, multiprogramming, multitasking, time-sharing, real-time (hard/soft), distributed, embedded. Windows and Linux are multi-user, multitasking GUI systems; MS-DOS was single-user, single-task, command-line.
Files, folders and paths
A file name has a stem plus an extension that tells the OS which program opens it: .docx, .xlsx, .pptx, .pdf, .txt, .csv, .jpg, .mp3, .exe, .html. A path is the route from the root, e.g. C:/Users/Rina/IT/notes.txt. Wildcards in search: * stands for any number of characters, ? for exactly one. rep*.docx finds report.docx and reply.docx; rep?.docx finds rep1.docx but not report.docx.
Shortcuts worth memorising
Ctrl+C copy, Ctrl+X cut, Ctrl+V paste, Ctrl+Z undo, Ctrl+A select all, F2 rename, Delete → Recycle Bin, Shift+Delete permanent delete, Alt+Tab switch apps, Ctrl+Shift+Esc Task Manager.
Worked example
A file D:/VOC/IT/practical.xlsx is copied to C:/Backup. Why does Delete on the C: copy go to the Recycle Bin while deleting the D: copy may bypass it? Reasoning: the Recycle Bin holds deleted items from local fixed drives only, and each drive has its own bin and quota. Removable drives and network locations are not recycled, and once the bin is emptied the file is unrecoverable by normal means.
Traps
- Confusing Cut (moves the item) with Copy (duplicates it).
- Assuming Shift+Delete can be undone from the Recycle Bin - it cannot.
- Treating the extension as decoration; it also decides the default application.
- Mixing up * (many characters) and ? (one character).