Copying, moving, and deleting files in Intro to Computing - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does it mean to copy a file?

Copying a file means making an exact duplicate of the file in a new location, while the original file stays where it is.

beginner

What happens when you move a file?

Moving a file means transferring it from one place to another. The file is removed from the original location and placed in the new one.

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What does deleting a file do?

Deleting a file removes it from the storage. It usually goes to a recycle bin or trash first, where it can be restored before permanent removal.

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Why is it important to be careful when deleting files?

Because once a file is permanently deleted, it can be very hard or impossible to get it back. Always check before deleting important files.

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How is copying a file like making a photocopy of a paper document?

Just like a photocopy creates a duplicate paper without changing the original, copying a file creates a duplicate file without changing the original file.

What happens to the original file when you copy it?

A It stays in the original place unchanged

B It is deleted

C It moves to the new location

D It becomes empty

Copying creates a duplicate but leaves the original file where it is.

When you move a file, what happens?

A The file is renamed

B The file is deleted

C The file is copied and the original stays

D The file is transferred to a new location and removed from the old one

Moving transfers the file and removes it from the original place.

Where does a file usually go first when you delete it?

A To the desktop

B To the recycle bin or trash

C To the documents folder

D It disappears immediately

Deleted files often go to a recycle bin or trash where they can be restored before permanent deletion.

Which action should you take if you want to keep the original file but have a copy elsewhere?

A Move the file

B Delete the file

C Copy the file

D Rename the file

Copying keeps the original and creates a duplicate in a new location.

Why might moving a file be faster than copying it?

A Because moving just changes the file's location pointer without duplicating data

B Because moving deletes the file

C Because moving compresses the file

D Because moving renames the file

Moving often just updates the file's location info, especially on the same drive, so it is faster than copying.

Explain in your own words the difference between copying and moving a file.

Think about what happens to the original file in each case.

Describe what happens when you delete a file and why you should be careful.

Consider the safety net before permanent deletion.

Practice

1. Which of the following best describes what happens when you copy a file on your computer?

easy

A. The file is renamed but stays in the same location.

B. The file is moved to a new location and removed from the original place.

C. The file is permanently removed from the computer.

D. A new file is created in the new location, and the original file stays where it is.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand copying

   Copying means making a duplicate file without deleting the original.

2. Step 2: Compare with other actions

   Moving removes the original, deleting removes permanently, renaming changes the name only.

3. Final Answer:

   A new file is created in the new location, and the original file stays where it is. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Copying duplicates file = A [OK]

Hint: Copying duplicates, original stays [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing copying with moving
• Thinking deleting is copying
• Believing renaming moves the file

2. Which command correctly moves a file named report.txt from the folder Documents to Archives in a command-line interface?

easy

A. move Documents/report.txt Archives/

B. copy Documents/report.txt Archives/

C. delete Documents/report.txt Archives/

D. rename Documents/report.txt Archives/

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the move command

   The command to move files is usually move (Windows) or mv (Unix).

2. Step 2: Check other commands

   copy duplicates, delete removes, rename changes name only.

3. Final Answer:

   move Documents/report.txt Archives/ -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Move command = move [OK]

Hint: Move command is 'move' or 'mv' [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using copy instead of move
• Using delete to move files
• Confusing rename with move

3. Consider this Python code snippet using the shutil module:

import shutil
shutil.copy('data.txt', 'backup/data.txt')
shutil.move('data.txt', 'archive/data.txt')

What will happen after running this code?

medium

A. 'data.txt' is deleted from both 'backup' and 'archive'.

B. 'data.txt' is moved to 'backup', then copied to 'archive'.

C. A copy of 'data.txt' is made in 'backup', then the original is moved to 'archive'.

D. An error occurs because you cannot copy and move the same file.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand shutil.copy()

   This creates a duplicate of 'data.txt' in 'backup' folder; original remains.

2. Step 2: Understand shutil.move()

   This moves the original 'data.txt' from current location to 'archive', removing it from original place.

3. Final Answer:

   A copy of 'data.txt' is made in 'backup', then the original is moved to 'archive'. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Copy then move = C [OK]

Hint: Copy duplicates, move transfers original [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking move duplicates file
• Assuming copy deletes original
• Believing both files are deleted

4. You wrote this command to delete a file:
del myfolder\file.txt
But you get an error saying the file is not found. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The file path is incorrect or the file does not exist.

B. The del command cannot delete files.

C. You need to copy the file before deleting it.

D. The file is already deleted, so the command fails.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check file path and existence

   If the file path is wrong or file missing, deletion fails with 'not found' error.

2. Step 2: Understand del command

   del deletes files; it works if file exists and path is correct.

3. Final Answer:

   The file path is incorrect or the file does not exist. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   File not found = wrong path or missing file [OK]

Hint: Check file path and existence first [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming del cannot delete files
• Trying to copy before deleting unnecessarily
• Ignoring file path correctness

5. You want to organize your photos by moving all files from Downloads to Pictures, but keep a backup copy in Backup. Which sequence of actions correctly achieves this?

hard

A. Move all files from Downloads to Pictures, then copy all files from Downloads to Backup.

B. Copy all files from Downloads to Backup, then move all files from Downloads to Pictures.

C. Delete all files from Downloads, then copy files from Backup to Pictures.

D. Copy all files from Pictures to Downloads, then move files from Backup to Pictures.

Solution

1. Step 1: Copy files to Backup

   Copying duplicates files to Backup folder, preserving originals in Downloads.

2. Step 2: Move files to Pictures

   Moving transfers files from Downloads to Pictures, removing them from Downloads.

3. Final Answer:

   Copy all files from Downloads to Backup, then move all files from Downloads to Pictures. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Copy backup first, then move original = B [OK]

Hint: Copy first to backup, then move originals [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Moving before copying loses original files
• Deleting files before backup
• Copying from wrong folders