They provide background information for a hands-on session that will be provided in the computer graphics workshop. DOS essentially consists of files, directories, and commands for controlling the hardware and managing the software of an IBM PC compatible computer. Files, Directories and Disk Drives Files are named places where typically text, programs, pictorial or vector graphics information is stored. Directories are named places where files are stored. There is a rough analogy with a file cabinet.
Directories are the individual drawers.
Sub-directories are the folders within each drawer. Files are the papers which are stored in the cabinet and its folders. A disk drive is a hardware device which stores a set of directories. A maximum of 8 characters may precede the dot, and a maximum 3 character extension may follow the dot. Extensions that follow the dot are useful for both identifying and manipulating files.