File Management Software

COMP1260 > System Software

Introduction The term file management software is one that is not familiar to the average computer user. That's because it is something we take for granted. It's something on your computer that's always been there, but has never drawn much of your attention. However, file management software is a very important component of a computer's user interface.

...by students People have a lot of mixed feelings about Windows Vista. There is one feature, however, that I think is a big improvement over previous versions of Windows. Windows Explorer now shows complete file paths. With previous versions, you'd go into a folder, and the only way you could get back out was with the back button. Or the button that moves you up one level in the folder hierarchy (which usually amounts to the same as the back button). In Windows Vista, you can see what folder you're in, what folder that folder is in, etc. For example, say your user name is Joe, and you're in a folder called Homework which is in your Documents. Then in an address bar at the top of the screen you'll see Joe -> Documents -> Homework. So if you want to go all the way back to your Joe folder, you just click on Joe. It's way more efficient!

What is File Management Software?

Basically, a file manager is a piece of software that allows you to browse through the hierarchy of folders in which you organize your files.

There are many different file managers. Windows Explorer is the default software on all Windows computers. Computers running Mac OS or Mac OS X use Finder. A common file manager on Linux is Nautilus.

Different File Managers for Different Operating Systems

Windows Explorer

Windows Explorer

Windows Explorer, sometimes referred to as the Windows Shell or simply Explorer, is the file management software that has been used in Windows versions from Windows 95 onwards. It actually does more than just allow you to view and organize your files. It is responsible for the whole user interface of Windows. For example, on a laptop, where volume is an integrated part of the system rather than a separate physical object (unlike speakers attached to a desktop computer), the volume control is part of Explorer. This is why you can't adjust the volume on a laptop while it is turned off (the cause of many startling startup sounds in quiet classrooms).

The new version of Explorer included in Windows Vista has some differences from previous versions. Explorer now has a sidebar, which displays the hierarchy of folders in a useful nested format. It also has a frame at the bottom of the screen that displays information about whichever folder or file is selected.

Nautilus

Nautilus

Nautilus, a common file manager on Linux operating systems, is quite similar to Windows Explorer. In Linux, all of your folders (such as Documents, Music, etc.) are contained within a folder called Home, which is like the folder whose name is your user name in Windows Vista.

Nautilus contains an address bar, located at the top of the screen, in which you can type in a destination. So, if you know the exact path to get to where you want to go, you don't need to go through all the intermediate levels of folders. Folder names in the path are separated by forward slashes ('/'), as opposed to the backward slashes used in Windows. (Eg. /Home/Documents/Homework)

Finder

Finder is the file management software on Mac OS and Mac OS X. It looks quite a bit different from other file managers. Finder displays a series of frames, going from left to right. For each step you take through a file hierarchy, it displays the contents of the folder you click on in the next frame. This means that at any time you can easily move back up the hierarchy.

Further Reading

• http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/finder.html Apple - Mac OS X Leopard - Finder
• http://projects.gnome.org/nautilus/ Nautilus File Manager
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_file_managers Comparison of file managers - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

References

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