File formats and extensions in Intro to Computing - Interactive Code Practice

Practice - 5 Tasks

1fill in blank

easy

Complete the code to assign the correct file extension for a text document.

Intro to Computing

file_name = "document" + [1]

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A.mp3

B.exe

C.txt

D.jpg

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Choosing an extension for audio or images instead of text.

The .txt extension is used for plain text files.

2fill in blank

medium

Complete the code to assign the correct file extension for an image file.

Intro to Computing

image_file = "photo" + [1]

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A.mp4

B.pdf

C.docx

D.jpg

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Confusing image extensions with video or document extensions.

The .jpg extension is commonly used for image files.

3fill in blank

hard

Fix the error in the code by choosing the correct file extension for an audio file.

Intro to Computing

audio_file = "song" + [1]

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A.txt

B.mp3

C.png

D.exe

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using image or executable file extensions for audio files.

The .mp3 extension is used for audio files like songs.

4fill in blank

hard

Fill both blanks to create a dictionary mapping file types to their common extensions.

Intro to Computing

file_extensions = {"text": [1], "image": [2]

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A".txt"

B".mp3"

C".jpg"

D".exe"

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Mixing audio or executable extensions with text or image types.

Text files use .txt and image files use .jpg extensions.

5fill in blank

hard

Fill all three blanks to create a dictionary mapping file types to their extensions, including audio files.

Intro to Computing

file_types = {"text": [1], "audio": [2], "image": [3]

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A".exe"

B".mp3"

C".jpg"

D".txt"

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Confusing executable extensions with file type extensions.

Text files use .txt, audio files use .mp3, and image files use .jpg.

Practice

1. What does the file extension in a filename tell you?

easy

A. The location of the file on the computer

B. The size of the file in bytes

C. The date the file was created

D. The type of file and which program can open it

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand what a file extension is

   The file extension is the part after the dot in a filename, like .txt or .jpg.

2. Step 2: Know the purpose of the extension

   It tells the computer what type of file it is and which program should open it.

3. Final Answer:

   The type of file and which program can open it -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   File extension = file type and program [OK]

Hint: File extension shows file type and program [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing extension with file size
• Thinking extension shows file creation date
• Believing extension shows file location

2. Which of these is the correct way to write a filename with a PDF extension?

easy

A. document.pdf

B. documentpdf

C. document_pdf

D. document-pdf

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the file extension format

   A file extension always follows a dot after the filename, like .pdf.

2. Step 2: Check the options for correct dot usage

   Only 'document.pdf' uses a dot before 'pdf', making it a valid filename with extension.

3. Final Answer:

   document.pdf -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Filename.extension = document.pdf [OK]

Hint: File extension always follows a dot (.) [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting the dot before the extension
• Using underscores or dashes instead of a dot
• Confusing extension with part of the filename

3. What will happen if you try to open a file named photo.jpeg on a computer?

medium

A. It will open as a text document

B. It will open with a photo or image viewer program

C. It will cause a system error

D. It will open with a music player

Solution

1. Step 1: Recognize the file extension .jpeg

   The .jpeg extension is used for image files, especially photos.

2. Step 2: Understand default program association

   Computers open .jpeg files with image viewer programs, not text editors or music players.

3. Final Answer:

   It will open with a photo or image viewer program -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   .jpeg = image viewer opens file [OK]

Hint: Match extension to program type (jpeg = image) [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking .jpeg opens as text
• Assuming .jpeg causes errors
• Confusing image files with audio files

4. A user tries to open a file named report.docx but gets an error. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The file size is too large

B. The file extension is missing

C. The program to open .docx files is not installed

D. The file name has spaces

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the .docx extension

   .docx files are Microsoft Word documents requiring a compatible program to open.

2. Step 2: Identify common error causes

   If the program to open .docx files is missing, the file cannot open, causing an error.

3. Final Answer:

   The program to open .docx files is not installed -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Missing program for .docx = error [OK]

Hint: Missing program for extension causes open errors [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking missing extension causes error
• Blaming file size or spaces in name
• Assuming file is corrupted without checking program

5. You have a text file named notes.txt and want to share it with someone who only has a PDF reader. What should you do?

hard

A. Convert the text file to PDF format before sharing

B. Send the file as is; PDF readers open .txt files automatically

C. Rename the file to notes.pdf without changing content

D. Change the file extension to .docx to make it compatible

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand file format compatibility

   A PDF reader can only open PDF files, not plain text files like .txt.

2. Step 2: Choose the correct way to share

   Renaming the file does not change its format; converting the file to PDF creates a compatible file.

3. Final Answer:

   Convert the text file to PDF format before sharing -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Convert format to match reader = success [OK]

Hint: Convert file format, don't just rename extension [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Renaming extension without converting content
• Assuming PDF readers open all text files
• Changing extension to .docx without conversion