Lesson 14: Use Hidden Items, Shortcuts, and File Archives Flashcards
• Navigate to hidden files and folders. • Examine packages and bundles. • Manage aliases and links. • Create and open ZIP archives and disk images.
Why does the Finder hide certain folders at the root of the system volume?
The Finder hides certain folders — ones that contain resource items for macOS processes — from average users at the root of the system volume, because the average user doesn’t need access to those items.
If you need access to these hidden files and folders you can use the Terminal.
Which two methods are used to hide items in macOS?
You can hide items in macOS by using either of these methods:
- Use Terminal to add a period to the beginning of a filename.
- Enable the hidden file flag. (A hidden flag hides the items only in the Finder.)
What is the difference between a package and a bundle?
The difference between a package and a bundle is described below:
- Package: Any folder that the Finder presents to the user as if it were a single file
- Bundle: A folder with a standardized hierarchical structure that holds executable code and the resources used by that code
What are the three primary file-system shortcut types that macOS uses?
The macOS file-system uses three primary shortcut types:
- Aliases
- Symbolic links
- Hard links
How does an alias differ from a symbolic link?
Both aliases and symbolic links act as a shortcut to an original item.
However, an alias contains additional information that allows the system to keep track of the original item if it is renamed or moved within the same volume. You can create an alias using the Finder, but it will not be recognized by Terminal.
In contrast, any change to an original item breaks a symbolic link. You can create symbolic links only in Terminal, but the Finder follows symbolic links to an original item.
Why would you use an archive file instead of a disk image?
Why would you use a disk image instead of an archive file?
To differentiate why you would use a ZIP archive instead of a disk image or a disk image instead of a ZIP archive, here is the rationale:
- For small amounts of data, you would compress files and folders into ZIP archives
- For larger data or the entire file system, you would create a disk Image
Additionally, archive files are much simpler to create in the Finder and are compatible with third-party operating systems.
Disk images are more difficult to create and manage but offer greater flexibility, primarily because you can easily modify and convert them.
Remember that macOS Mojave disk images can be accessed only by Mac computers; other systems require third-party software to access Mac disk images.
What type of file does the Finder create when you select the Archive option?
The Finder creates a compressed .zip archive file when you select the Archive option.
What action on macOS Mojave is set as the default for expanding the zip archive files?
By default on macOS Mojave, double-clicking a .zip archive file causes the system to expand the contents of the .zip archive.
