A laptop stores many files on its hard disk.
Describe one way the operating system manages the files on the laptop.
Mark scheme
Award up to two marks for a linked description such as:
- Keeps a record/index of where each file is stored on the disk (1) so that the file can be found and opened when it is needed (1)
- Allocates each file to a folder/directory (1) so that files used for the same purpose are kept together (1)
- Decides where on the disk each new file is written (1) so that it does not overwrite an existing file (1)
- Allocates space on the disk for a file (1) so that the file has somewhere to be saved (1)
Allow 'files are organised into folders so that they are easy to find', with the folder point (1) and its purpose (1).
Do not accept responses that only state that the operating system 'organises' or 'controls' the files, with no way of doing it given.
Do not accept 'stores the files' or 'saves files to the disk' without a way of doing it.
Do not accept responses about backing files up, or about the amount of storage space left on the disk.
Example answers and how they were marked
The operating system keeps a record of where each file is stored on the disk so that the file can be found and opened again later
Why: Linked point (1) - keeps a record of where each file is stored - and development (1) - so the file can be found later.
The operating system puts the files into folders.
Why: Gives the point that each file is allocated to a folder (1) but no linked development about why files are grouped.
The operating system backs up the files to the cloud so that they are not lost.
Why: Backing up is not file management on this specification, so no point or development is credited.