Operating System - part 03

an Operating System manages directories and files in computer

 

File Types

• The file type is best identified by its file structure.

• A text file would have a very different structure than a file than can be executed.

• An executable file must have a specific structure to be able to be run.

•  The file structure is used to determine its MIME type. The word MIME stands for multipurpose internet mail extension and is used as a standard to identify various file types.

 

File Extensions

• In operating systems such as Microsoft Window systems, Linux, and Unix, a file extension is used to help identify the type of file. 

Eg. file with a .pdf extension can be read by the Adobe Acrobat application program.

• Apple Macintosh computer systems do not use a file extension to identify file types.

 

Executable File Types

• The most important file type to be aware of are executable file types.
•  This is because if accidentally run an executable file on a system, it may install a virus or some other unwanted software program.
• Executable file types include:

.com   .exe

ASCII Text

 ASCII codes represent text in computers, communications equipment, and other devices that use text.  File extension - .txt

Binary Formatted

A binary file (.bin) is a computer file which may contain any type of data, encoded in binary form for computer storage and processing purposes;

 

Some common file types

.Txt

.Html

.Php

.Bin

.Exe

.Mp4

.Wma

.Avi

.dat

.Java

.Cs

.Py

.Doc

.PDF

.Mp3

.Zip

.rar

.Jpg(.Jpeg)

.bmp

.Gif

.PSD

.Wav

.dll

.Ico

.C

.Css

.VB

.Ini

.3GP

.Mov

.Mpg

.3G2

.Mp2

File operations-

Create, Open, Close, Rename, Copy, Move, Delete and Merge

File Security

Password and Access privileges

Directory and File organization

Basic DOS Commands eg. Dir ,  path, etc…