Files

CIS 102 Files Notes | PDF

example completed file system worksheet

• directory tree, path
• index file
• opening files
• saving files
• slack space
• deleting files
• recovery and shredder programs
• fragmentation, defragmentation

Audio Quick Review (7:42)

Review Questions

This is not work to be turned in for a grade.  They are however very similar to the questions on the Comprehension Quiz.

1. What is a file's path?
2. What is the index file?
3. What is slack space?
4. What causes slack space? 
5. Why is slack space a problem
6. Why don't we eliminate slack space?
7. What is fragmentation? (here we are talking about file system fragmentation, not other types e.g. internal fragmentation)
8. What causes fragmentation? 
9. Why is fragmentation a problem
10. Why don't we eliminate fragmentation?
11. What is defragmentation?
12. Briefly list the steps the computer (file system)  goes through to open a file (you do not need to include any hardware details).
13. Briefly list the steps the computer (file system)  goes through to save a file (you do not need to include any hardware details).
14. Briefly list the steps the computer (file system)  goes through to delete a file (you do not need to include any hardware details).
15. What is the difference between sending a file to the recycle bin and actually deleting it?
16. What does a secure delete (aka shredder) program do?
17. Why don't we always do a secure delete?
18. What does a recovery program do?
19. What needs to be true to be able to recover a deleted file?
20. What is the relationship between block size and speed of access to files?]
21. What is the relationship between block size and slack space?
22. Is it true that all data that has ever been on your computer is there forever?