\[ \begin{align}\begin{aligned}\newcommand\blank{~\underline{\hspace{1.2cm}}~}\\% Bold symbols (vectors) \newcommand\bs[1]{\mathbf{#1}}\\% Differential \newcommand\dd[2][]{\mathrm{d}^{#1}{#2}} % use as \dd, \dd{x}, or \dd[2]{x}\\% Poor man's siunitx \newcommand\unit[1]{\mathrm{#1}} \newcommand\num[1]{#1} \newcommand\qty[2]{#1~\unit{#2}}\\\newcommand\per{/} \newcommand\squared{{}^2} \newcommand\cubed{{}^3} % % Scale \newcommand\milli{\unit{m}} \newcommand\centi{\unit{c}} \newcommand\kilo{\unit{k}} \newcommand\mega{\unit{M}} % % Percent \newcommand\percent{\unit{{\kern-4mu}\%}} % % Angle \newcommand\radian{\unit{rad}} \newcommand\degree{\unit{{\kern-4mu}^\circ}} % % Time \newcommand\second{\unit{s}} \newcommand\s{\second} \newcommand\minute{\unit{min}} \newcommand\hour{\unit{h}} % % Distance \newcommand\meter{\unit{m}} \newcommand\m{\meter} \newcommand\inch{\unit{in}} \newcommand\foot{\unit{ft}} % % Force \newcommand\newton{\unit{N}} \newcommand\kip{\unit{kip}} % kilopound in "freedom" units - edit made by Sri % % Mass \newcommand\gram{\unit{g}} \newcommand\g{\gram} \newcommand\kilogram{\unit{kg}} \newcommand\kg{\kilogram} \newcommand\grain{\unit{grain}} \newcommand\ounce{\unit{oz}} \newcommand\pound{\unit{lbs}} % % Temperature \newcommand\kelvin{\unit{K}} \newcommand\K{\kelvin} \newcommand\celsius{\unit{{\kern-4mu}^\circ C}} \newcommand\C{\celsius} \newcommand\fahrenheit{\unit{{\kern-4mu}^\circ F}} \newcommand\F{\fahrenheit} % % Area \newcommand\sqft{\unit{sq\,\foot}} % square foot % % Volume \newcommand\liter{\unit{L}} \newcommand\gallon{\unit{gal}} % % Frequency \newcommand\hertz{\unit{Hz}} \newcommand\rpm{\unit{rpm}} % % Voltage \newcommand\volt{\unit{V}} \newcommand\V{\volt} \newcommand\millivolt{\milli\volt} \newcommand\mV{\milli\volt} \newcommand\kilovolt{\kilo\volt} \newcommand\kV{\kilo\volt} % % Current \newcommand\ampere{\unit{A}} \newcommand\A{\ampere} \newcommand\milliampereA{\milli\ampere} \newcommand\mA{\milli\ampere} \newcommand\kiloampereA{\kilo\ampere} \newcommand\kA{\kilo\ampere} % % Resistance \newcommand\ohm{\Omega} \newcommand\milliohm{\milli\ohm} \newcommand\kiloohm{\kilo\ohm} % correct SI spelling \newcommand\kilohm{\kilo\ohm} % "American" spelling used in siunitx \newcommand\megaohm{\mega\ohm} % correct SI spelling \newcommand\megohm{\mega\ohm} % "American" spelling used in siunitx % % Capacitance \newcommand\farad{\unit{F}} \newcommand\F{\farad} \newcommand\microfarad{\micro\farad} \newcommand\muF{\micro\farad} % % Inductance \newcommand\henry{\unit{H}} \newcommand\H{\henry} \newcommand\millihenry{\milli\henry} \newcommand\mH{\milli\henry} % % Power \newcommand\watt{\unit{W}} \newcommand\W{\watt} \newcommand\milliwatt{\milli\watt} \newcommand\mW{\milli\watt} \newcommand\kilowatt{\kilo\watt} \newcommand\kW{\kilo\watt} % % Energy \newcommand\joule{\unit{J}} \newcommand\J{\joule} % % Composite units % % Torque \newcommand\ozin{\unit{\ounce}\,\unit{in}} \newcommand\newtonmeter{\unit{\newton\,\meter}} % % Pressure \newcommand\psf{\unit{psf}} % pounds per square foot \newcommand\pcf{\unit{pcf}} % pounds per cubic foot \newcommand\pascal{\unit{Pa}} \newcommand\Pa{\pascal} \newcommand\ksi{\unit{ksi}} % kilopound per square inch \newcommand\bar{\unit{bar}} \end{aligned}\end{align} \]

Jul 05, 2026 | 1190 words | 12 min read

Computer Basics

This section introduces some basic computer literacy skills you will use in ENGR 13300 and beyond. The focus is on how files are stored, how to keep your work organized, and how to use the graphical interface and the command terminal to move through your folders efficiently.

Topics Covered

• Navigating folder structures with your computer’s graphical interface

• High-level concepts of drives, storage, and file locations

• Best practices for organizing folders for assignments and coding projects

• Installing applications on Windows and macOS

• Uninstalling applications correctly on Windows and macOS

• Accessing the command terminal and using it safely

• Pros and cons of command-line workflows

• Basic terminal syntax and core navigation commands

• Using the terminal inside VS Code to run commands from the correct folder

Learning Objectives

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Explain the difference between folders, files, drives, and cloud storage

• Create and maintain an organized folder structure for your coursework

• Install and uninstall common applications responsibly

• Open and use a terminal on Windows and macOS

• Navigate folders in the terminal using core commands

• Run terminal commands in VS Code by first moving to the correct directory

Drives and Storage: High-Level Concepts

A drive is a storage location. Common examples are your local disk (for example C: on Windows), an external drive, and cloud storage such as OneDrive.

• Local storage: fast and available offline on your machine

• External storage: portable but easy to disconnect or misplace

• Cloud storage: accessible across devices but depends on internet and sync

Fig. 50 A screenshot pointing out the different types of storage seen in an explorer window in Windows.

Fig. 51 A screenshot pointing out the different types of storage seen in a finder window on a Mac.

For coursework, keep one primary working folder on local storage and back it up to cloud storage regularly. This can be done effectively using the OneDrive account that comes with your Purdue Microsoft account.

Folder Navigation with the Graphical User Interface

Your computer stores files in folders that are arranged like a tree. A drive contains top-level folders, each folder can contain more folders, and files are saved inside these folders.

When you open your file browser (File Explorer on Windows, Finder on macOS), practice these core actions:

• open a folder (click or double-click) and return to the previous folder (use the breadcrumb bar or back button)

• use the path or breadcrumb bar (at the top of the window) to see where you are

• create a new folder with a clear name

• move or copy files (click-drag) into the correct folder

Tip

If you cannot find a file, check the folder path first before searching the entire computer.

Folder Organization Best Practices

Use one consistent structure for the full semester so assignments are easy to find.

A practical example (only some samples of substructure shown):

Path: C:\Users\username\ENGR13300\

C:\
└── Users\
    └── username\
        └── ENGR13300\
            ├── Excel\
            │   ├── Excel 1\
            │   │   ├── Pre-class\
            │   │   ├── Team\
            │   │   └── Individual\
            │   └── Excel 2\
            │       ├── Pre-class\
            │       ├── Team\
            │       └── Individual\
            │
            ├── Python\
            │   └── Python 1\
            │       ├── Pre-class\
            │       ├── Team\
            │       └── Individual\
            │
            ├── MATLAB\
            ├── projects\
            └── references\

Inside each module folder (ex: Excel 1), separate the files by what makes sense to you. One way to organize the module folder is by the types of assignments (Pre-class, Individual, Team). Avoid naming files as new, final_final, or stuff; use descriptive names with dates or versions when needed.

Installing Applications

Many apps are installed by opening a downloaded installer and following prompts.

Windows (.exe or .msi)

1. Download only from an official source.

2. Double-click the installer file.

3. Follow prompts and keep default options unless you understand the change.

4. Verify the app opens from the Start menu.

macOS (.dmg or .pkg)

1. Download from an official source.

2. Open the .dmg or .pkg file.

3. If needed, drag the app into the Applications folder.

4. Open the app once to confirm installation.

Warning!

Do not install unknown software from unknown links. Verify the publisher and file source before running installers. Do not trust files that are available from unknown third party content holders. Install software from reputable and known companies or open source software that has been reviewed extensively.

Uninstalling Applications Correctly

Removing a desktop shortcut does not uninstall an application.

• Windows: use Settings ‣ Apps ‣ Installed apps (or Control Panel ‣ Programs) and choose Uninstall.

• macOS: remove the app from Applications (or use the vendor’s uninstall tool if provided), then empty Trash.

This helps reclaim storage and prevents old software from interfering with course tools.

The Command Terminal

The command terminal is a command line interface (CLI), a text-based way to interact directly with the operating system. You type commands into the terminal, and a program called a shell interprets and runs them.

Accessing the Command Terminal

To access the command terminal on Windows or macOS, you can find the application visually (as illustrated in the figures below) or use the keyboard shortcut for your operating system’s search feature (Windows on Windows or Command+Space on macOS) and type terminal.

• Windows: Command Prompt, PowerShell, or Windows Terminal

  

  Fig. 52 A screenshot showing the key components of accessing a terminal window on a Windows machine.

• macOS: Terminal app

  

  Fig. 53 A screenshot showing the Applications view (Launchpad) on a macOS machine.

  

  Fig. 54 A screenshot showing the ‘Other’ subfolder within Launchpad to access the Terminal app on a macOS machine.

• VS Code: Terminal ‣ New Terminal

Pros and Cons of the Terminal

Advantages

• Fast for repetitive tasks

• Precise control over files and commands

• Required by many coding and data tools

Challenges

• Commands must be typed accurately

• Mistakes can affect files quickly

• The interface is less visual for beginners

Use the terminal carefully and confirm your current folder before running commands that create, move, or delete files.

Basic Terminal Syntax and Commands

Terminal commands generally follow this pattern:

program [options] [target]

where program is the name of an executable program you want to run (for example ls), options are modifiers that affect how the program runs, and target is the file or folder the program acts on. The square brackets in documentation, like [target], indicate that part of the command is optional. Many programs accept one or more options (also called flags), which often consist of a dash followed by a letter, such as -l in ls -l.

Example

The command ls -l Documents lists the files in the Documents folder in long format. Here, ls is the program, -l is an option that changes how results are shown, and Documents is the target.

Useful navigation commands:

• pwd to display the ‘Present Working Directory’ / current location in Terminal (macOS/Linux) and PowerShell

• cd (with no arguments) to display the full current path in Windows Command Prompt

• ls (macOS/Linux) or dir (Windows) to list files and folders

• cd folder_name to ‘Change Directory’ / move into a folder

• cd .. to move up one folder

• mkdir new_folder to create a folder (MaKe DIRectory)

• mv [source] [destination] MoVes or renames a file or folder

Warning!

Commands using the terminal can be powerful and can cause permanent unintentional changes without warning. Make sure you know what a command does and what the modifiers actually do before executing any command in the terminal.

Note

Commands can differ slightly by operating system. Read error messages closely; they usually tell you what path or command is incorrect.

Using the VS Code Terminal Effectively

When you run commands in VS Code (for example, running Python), the terminal uses its current folder as the starting point.

If your script is in a different folder, either:

1. find out where you are in the directory structure using the pwd command,

2. navigate with cd to the folder containing the script, or

3. provide the full path in the command.

Example workflow:

1. Open the terminal in VS Code.

2. Run pwd in Terminal (macOS/Linux) or PowerShell, or run cd with no arguments in Windows Command Prompt, to confirm your location.

3. Move to your script folder with cd.

4. Run your command, such as python my_script.py.

If you skip navigation, commands may fail with "file not found" even when your code is correct.