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Computer file systems are organized into directories and subdirectories, with the root directory being the parent folder. Users can access files using absolute or relative paths, and authentication is managed through user home directories. Different operating systems have their own commands for accessing file paths. Using programming language commands to set file path name variables can reduce errors in file access.
Computer file systems are logical folders often called file directories. These directories can include subfolders and files which are kept within each folder. The directory structure of these folders is known as the directory path. The absolute path refers to the full path name, which includes the director name, subfolder name, and file name.
A computer file system is usually represented as a hierarchy of files, folders, and subfolders. The parent folder within the hierarchy is the root directory of the file system. When an individual uses the absolute path to a file or folder, they must include the root directory in the name. This full path name is typically written with backslashes between each subfolder name.
Most computers are designed to be used by multiple people. This access control is managed by an authentication of a user’s password credentials. When it connects to the computer, it is usually placed in a specific file directory, where it can save personal information. The directory is the user’s home directory.
When a computer application runs, it runs in a specific folder within the computer’s file system hierarchy. The folder becomes the relative path of the application. Most computer applications use this relative path to access special files and folders. Using the relative path, all application data can be easily stored within the running application folder without requiring the user to type the absolute path name.
Today, there are many operating systems that run computers. These typically include Windows®, Linux®, Mac®, UNIX® and Mainframe versions. Each operating system has special commands that can provide the absolute path to a folder or file. When a user needs this full path name, he has to run the specific command to get this information.
Using an absolute path to access data files can be a cumbersome and error-prone process. This is most prevalent with files that are buried multi-level within the file system hierarchy. To simplify this process, an individual can navigate the relative path by changing directories to the desired folder. Once he is in the folder of interest, he can ignore the absolute path name and use simple filenames within the folder.
Most software programming languages use special commands that allow programmer options to set file path name variables. This path name is replaced within the computer program with the absolute long path name. Using this form of variable substitution reduces file access errors in a computer program.
