Directory vs. Folder?

absorber · February 4, 2012, 6:44pm

How would you call it?

Scott · February 4, 2012, 6:54pm

I use them interchangeably, since they mean the same thing. It's all about preference.

But, generally speaking, in Unix it's "directory", in Windows "folder" and in Linux just pick one.

edit: I changed your poll to make it a public vote

zxmaus · February 4, 2012, 9:00pm

simply dir but I rarely have to do with users

figaro · February 7, 2012, 4:02am

This is one area where both UNIX/Linux and Windows users have the same understanding.

Corona688 · February 7, 2012, 9:23am

It means the same thing, so who cares?

jgt · February 7, 2012, 6:12pm

Depends who I am talking to.

methyl · February 8, 2012, 11:19am

The word "folder" is from the Microsoft Windows world where you can also find words like "container" and "desktop". The help text displayed by the Microsoft MSDOS "DIR /?" command only uses the term "directory".

Shirishlnx · February 8, 2012, 11:30am

Generally I found
Linux Guys Says : Dir
Windows Guys Says: Folder

--Shirish

admin_xor · February 8, 2012, 5:36pm

Directory sounds more geeky than Folder. Just a feeling!!

See what I found in Wikipedia:

The name folder, presenting an analogy to the file folder used in offices, and used originally by Apple Lisa,[5] is used in almost all modern operating systems' desktop environments. Folders are often depicted with icons which visually resemble physical file folders.
Strictly speaking, there is a difference between a directory, which is a file system concept, and the graphical user interface metaphor that is used to represent it (a folder). For example, Microsoft Windows uses the concept of special folders to help present the contents of the computer to the user in a fairly consistent way that frees the user from having to deal with absolute directory paths, which can vary between versions of Windows, and between individual installations.
If one is referring to a container of documents, the term folder is more appropriate. The term directory refers to the way a structured list of document files and folders is stored on the computer. It is comparable to a telephone directory that contains lists of names, numbers, and addresses but does not contain the actual documents themselves.

alexscript · February 16, 2012, 4:35am

I use the term Directory despite it isn't much friendly for certain users ...

Peasant · February 21, 2012, 12:43pm

find finds -type d(irectory)

methyl · February 21, 2012, 1:46pm

Flashback to pre-unix on DEC kit. The CAT command used to display the catalogue (of files), then along came DCL with the DIR command.

spfc_dmt · March 7, 2012, 8:52am

Third option, doesnt really matter for me

allenhibbert · March 7, 2012, 1:08pm

my folders are in a filing cabinet. my system data is organized on disk in directories. always used the term directory, natural use of the term.

true that most users are confused by the term directories. on the spot translation is available.

drl · March 7, 2012, 4:59pm

Hi.

I'd guess that folder had its origins in the desktop metaphor. Not from Windows, that GUI came after the Macintosh. The Xerox PARC lab invented the metaphor, but it was not popularized until it was adopted by Apple. I suppose there might be an even more obscure implementation, but again, not popularized like the Macintosh Desktop.

Some support for my guess at Desktop metaphor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I usually use the term directory ... cheers, drl

locovich · March 16, 2012, 10:12am

I have made some research and the directory term was used for describing file systems structure like Multics, where sub folders was not allowed, it have an unique directory and not folder support. I don't like the folder analogy. I prefer directory

Mariano

guest115 · April 24, 2012, 3:19am

Directory, dir.

bakunin · May 16, 2012, 11:37pm

True. These were the days, when the interesting stuff wouldn't reside in /usr or /etc but in $SYS$SYSTEM.

Ah, well - and then all hell broke loose and an upstart PC-botch-shop bought the producer of the best processor and the best working cluster in the world. Like Old Joes Garage purchasing Porsche along with its racing team division.

I use "directory" exclusively as i deal only with "file system entities". I simply have nothing to do with "GUI concepts", "metaphors" or other crutches for the technically impaired.

bakunin

Skrynesaver · May 21, 2012, 6:49am

Folders are how users see their mail organised in IMAP logins, directories are how data is organised on disk.

gull04 · July 4, 2012, 7:34am

Well, I first came accross the expression Folder when I worked for Olivetti in 1981 - they sold this system and the user was encoraged to think "cabinet", "drawer" and "folder" the system was actually pretty good for it's day.

Tha OS was a bit Unix "like".

Regards

Dave