Use Hidden Items, Shortcuts, and File Archives

Question 1

Why does the Finder hide certain folders at the root of the system volume?

Answer 1

The Finder hides certain folders from average users at the root of the system volume because the average user doesn’t need access to those times.

Question 2

Which two methods can you use to hide items in macOS?

Answer 2

1. User terminal to add a period to the beginning of a filename (“mv” command)
2. User terminal to enable the middle file flag (“chflags” command)

Question 3

How can you access the user Library folder?

Answer 3

Press and hold the Option key, then click the Go menu to reveal the Library menu.

Question 4

How do you reveal/hide all hidden items in the Finder?

Answer 4

Press Shift-Command-Period

Question 5

What can you use to navigate to a specific hidden folder?

Answer 5

Use the “Go to Folder” command under the “Go” drop down menu (or press Shift-Command-G)

Question 6

What is the difference between a package and a bundle?

Answer 6

A package is any folder that the finder presents to the user as if it were a single file. A bundle is a folder with a standardized hierarchical structure that holds executable code and the resources used by the code.

Question 7

True/False: An item can be BOTH a package and a bundle.

Answer 7

True (for example, Optional plug-ins, Screen savers)

Question 8

What are some examples of items that ARE packages, but NOT bundles (because they don’t contain executable code)

Answer 8

Photos Library, Photo Booth Library, Large Pages, Numbers, or Keynote documents

Question 9

What would be considered a BUNDLE but not a PACKAGE?

Answer 9

Frameworks that contain shared resources that multiple apps can use simultaneously.

Question 10

How do you access a package’s contents in the Finder?

Answer 10

Control-click the item you want to view and choose “Show Package Contents”

Question 11

What are the four primary file-system shortcut types?

Answer 11

1. Aliases
2. Symbolic links
3. Hard links
4. Firm links

Question 12

What are aliases in regards to file-system shortcuts?

Answer 12

A shortcut that is more resilient than other shortcut types. If the original item is replaced or moved, the alias is designed to never lose the original item.

Question 13

What are symbolic links in regards to file-system shortcuts?

Answer 13

They are pointers to the file-system path of the original item

Question 14

What are hard links in regards to file-system shortcuts?

Answer 14

They reference the original item and point to the bits on the physical storage device.

Question 15

What are firm links in regard to file-system shortcuts?

Answer 15

They allow forward and backward navigation between folders that straddle the SSV (signed system volume) and the read-write APFS Data volume.

Question 16

True/False: With a Symbolic Link, you can’t replace the original of the same name because the path is not the same

Answer 16

False, you can replace the original because the path IS the same.

Question 17

True/False: Every file as at least one hard link.

Answer 17

True

Question 18

True/False: You can create and modify firm links.

Answer 18

False

Question 19

What are the 5 methods you can use to create an alias?

Answer 19

After selecting the item you want to make an Alias for:

1. Choose File > Make Alias
2. Press Command-L
3. In a Finder window, choose Make Alias from the Action menu
4. In Finder, Control-click an item and choose Make Alias from the shortcut menu
5. Drag the original item while pressing and holding the option and Command keys to drop the Alis in another location
6. Drag an app to the desktop.

Question 20

How can you use an Alias to locate the original item?

Answer 20

Control-clicking the alias and choosing Show Original from the shortcut menu, or by pressing Command-R

Question 21

When would you want to use an achieve file instead of a disk image?

Answer 21

Use ZIP archives for small amounts of data. ZIP archives are much simpler to create in the Finder and are compatible with most third-party operating systems.

Question 22

When would you want to use a disk image instead of an archive file?

Answer 22

User disk images for larger amounts of data or to archive an entire file system, including files, folders, and associated metadata, into a single file. Disk images are mostly limited to Mac computers.

Question 23

What type of file does the Finder create when you select the Archive option?

Answer 23

The Finder creates a compressed ZIP archive file

Question 24

How do you create a ZIP archive?

Answer 24

In Finder, select the item(s) you want to compress and control-click the item(s) and choose Compress Item(s) OR choose File > Compress Item.

Question 25

How can you open/expand a ZIP archive?

Answer 25

By double clicking the archive file.

Question 26

How do you mount disk images?

Answer 26

By double clicking on disk image file in the Finder. Doing this mounts the volume inside the disk image file.