Folder hierarchy and paths in Intro to Computing - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a folder hierarchy?

A folder hierarchy is like a family tree for your computer files. It shows how folders are organized inside other folders, starting from a main folder called the root.

beginner

What is an absolute path?

An absolute path is the full address to a file or folder, starting from the root folder. It tells exactly where to find the file anywhere on the computer.

beginner

What is a relative path?

A relative path tells how to find a file or folder starting from the current folder you are in, not from the root. It's like giving directions from where you stand.

beginner

Why do computers use folder hierarchies?

Computers use folder hierarchies to keep files organized and easy to find, just like how you keep your books on different shelves and sections in a library.

beginner

What symbol is used to separate folders in a path on Windows and on Unix/Linux?

On Windows, folders in a path are separated by a backslash \ while on Unix/Linux and Mac, they use a forward slash /.

Which of these is an example of an absolute path on Windows?

A ..\file.txt

B Documents\file.txt

C file.txt

D C:\Users\Alice\Documents\file.txt

An absolute path starts from the root drive like C:\ and shows the full location.

What does a relative path depend on?

A The root folder

B The size of the file

C The current folder you are in

D The type of file

Relative paths give directions starting from your current folder location.

In a folder hierarchy, what is the top folder called?

A Leaf

B Root

C Branch

D Node

The root is the top folder from which all other folders branch out.

Which symbol is used to go up one folder level in a relative path?

A ..

B /

C ~

D \

Two dots .. mean go up one folder in the hierarchy.

Why is folder hierarchy important?

A To organize files so they are easy to find

B To make files bigger

C To change file colors

D To delete files automatically

Folder hierarchy helps keep files organized and easy to locate.

Explain what a folder hierarchy is and why it is useful.

Think about how you organize things at home or school.

Describe the difference between an absolute path and a relative path with examples.

Consider how you give directions from a fixed point versus from where you are standing.

Practice

1. What does a folder path describe in a computer system?

easy

A. The color of a folder icon

B. The size of a file

C. The location of a file or folder within the folder hierarchy

D. The speed of the computer

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand folder hierarchy

   Folders are like drawers in a cabinet, organizing files and other folders.

2. Step 2: Define folder path

   A folder path tells the computer exactly where to find a file or folder within this hierarchy.

3. Final Answer:

   The location of a file or folder within the folder hierarchy -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Folder path = location [OK]

Hint: Folder paths show where files/folders are stored [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing path with file size
• Thinking path describes folder color
• Assuming path relates to computer speed

2. Which of the following is a correct absolute path on a Windows system?

easy

A. C:\\Users\\Documents\\file.txt

B. /Users/Documents/file.txt

C. Users/Documents/file.txt

D. Documents\\file.txt

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify absolute path format on Windows

   Windows absolute paths start with a drive letter followed by a colon and backslashes, e.g., C:\

2. Step 2: Check each option

   C:\\Users\\Documents\\file.txt uses drive letter C:, backslashes, and full path, so it's correct.

3. Final Answer:

   C:\Users\Documents\file.txt -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Windows absolute path = drive letter + backslashes [OK]

Hint: Windows absolute paths start with drive letter and colon [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using forward slashes instead of backslashes on Windows
• Missing drive letter in absolute path
• Confusing relative path with absolute path

3. Given the folder structure:

Root/
  FolderA/
    File1.txt
  FolderB/
    File2.txt

If the current folder is Root/FolderA, what file does the relative path ../FolderB/File2.txt point to?

medium

A. Root/FolderA/File1.txt

B. Root/File2.txt

C. Root/FolderA/FolderB/File2.txt

D. Root/FolderB/File2.txt

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand relative path with '..'

   '..' means move up one folder from current folder Root/FolderA to Root.

2. Step 2: Follow the rest of the path

   From Root, go into FolderB, then File2.txt, so full path is Root/FolderB/File2.txt.

3. Final Answer:

   Root/FolderB/File2.txt -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Relative path '..' moves up one folder [OK]

Hint: Use '..' to go up one folder in relative paths [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Not moving up folder with '..'
• Assuming relative path starts from root
• Confusing folder names in path

4. Identify the error in this relative path if the current folder is /home/user/docs: ../../user/docs/file.txt

medium

A. Incorrect folder name 'user' repeated

B. Too many '..' moves up beyond root

C. Path uses forward slashes instead of backslashes

D. Missing drive letter for absolute path

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the relative path steps

   Starting at /home/user/docs, '..' moves up to /home/user, second '..' moves up to /home.

2. Step 2: Check the rest of the path

   Then path goes into 'user/docs/file.txt' again, repeating 'user/docs' which is redundant and likely incorrect.

3. Final Answer:

   Incorrect folder name 'user' repeated -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Repeated folder names in path indicate error [OK]

Hint: Check if path repeats folders unnecessarily [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking '..' moves beyond root causes error
• Confusing slash directions on Unix systems
• Expecting drive letters on Unix paths

5. You have a folder structure:

Project/
  src/
    main.py
  data/
    input.csv

If your current folder is Project/src, which relative path correctly accesses input.csv?

hard

A. data/input.csv

B. ../data/input.csv

C. /Project/data/input.csv

D. ./data/input.csv

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify current folder and target file location

   Current folder is Project/src; input.csv is in Project/data.

2. Step 2: Construct relative path

   To reach data from src, move up one folder with '..', then into data/input.csv, so path is '../data/input.csv'.

3. Final Answer:

   ../data/input.csv -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Use '..' to go up, then folder name to go down [OK]

Hint: Use '..' to move up, then folder name to move down [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using './data/input.csv' which looks inside src/data (doesn't exist)
• Using absolute path without root slash
• Assuming 'data/input.csv' works from src folder