CS 3050
Spring 2007
Study Guide for Quiz 1

The quiz will cover chapters 1, 2, and 3. As part of your review process, I recommend you study:
Chapter 1: Introduction

1. Know the definitions of a file and a file structure.
2. Gain an intuition for the time difference between accessing data in memory and accessing data on the disk.
3. Know the goals that guide file structure development.
4. Know the pros and cons of memory versus secondary storage, including: cost, capacity, speed, and stability.

Chapter 2: Fundamental File Processing Operations (skip 2.6, 2.7, 2.10)

1. Know the basic operations: read, write, open, close, seek (also detecting EOF) and what parameters are necessary to use them.
2. Understand why closing files is important.
3. Understand the distinction between physical and logical files.

Chapter 3: Secondary Storage and System Software (skip 3.10)

1. We looked at three types of secondary (or tertiary) storage: disks, tapes and CDs. In each case you should know:
A. The physical set up of the storage media and how this affects the way data is stored and organized.
B. The basic performance computations done in class, the book and on the homework.
2. In addition, you should be able to compare the pros and cons the three media.
3. Be able to define, identify, and discuss fragmentation.
4. Know the highlights of the journey of a byte.
5. Know what buffers are and some of the issues in managing them, including how many, buffer pooling and LRU.