In a Windows based computer, two files cannot exist in the same folder if which of the following conditions is true?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: They have the same name and are of the same file type

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
File management is a basic but very important topic in computer awareness. Operating systems like Microsoft Windows organize data into folders and files. Each file in a given folder has a name and usually a file extension that indicates its type. Understanding how Windows distinguishes one file from another helps you manage documents, pictures and programs without confusion. This question asks which combination of file name and type is not allowed for two files in the same folder.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • We are working in a Windows based operating system.
  • Files have names and file extensions (types), for example report.docx.
  • All files are stored inside folders.
  • Two files are being compared in terms of name, type and creation date.
  • We need to find when they cannot both exist in the same folder.


Concept / Approach:
In Windows, a file is uniquely identified within a folder by its full name, which includes the base name and the extension. For example, resume.docx and resume.pdf are two different files because their extensions differ. However, you cannot have two separate files with exactly the same name and the same extension in the same folder at the same time. If you try to create a second file with the same full name, Windows will ask you to rename it or overwrite the existing one. Creation date does not affect uniqueness, and files with different names are always allowed even if they share the same type.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that uniqueness in a folder is based on the full file name including extension.Step 2: Examine options that mention files having the same name.Step 3: Consider option C, where both name and file type are the same. This would produce an identical full name.Step 4: Recognize that Windows cannot store two distinct files with identical full names in the same folder.Step 5: Notice that other options involve different names or different types, which are allowed.Step 6: Conclude that option C describes the impossible situation.


Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this by practical experience. In Windows Explorer, create a file called notes.txt in a folder. Then try to create another file with the name notes.txt in the same folder. The system will either prevent it or ask if you want to replace the existing file. However, you can create notes.docx or notes.pdf in the same folder without a problem because the extensions differ. Similarly, two different file names such as notes.txt and homework.txt can coexist even if they are of the same type. This proves that only identical name and type combinations are disallowed.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Option A is allowed because files with different names are always distinct, regardless of creation date.
  • Option B is also allowed because the names are different even though the types match.
  • Option D is allowed, since Windows treats different extensions as different full names, for example report.docx and report.txt.
  • Option E clearly describes different files with unique names and types, which is always acceptable.


Common Pitfalls:
Some learners mistakenly think that Windows prevents files with the same base name even if extensions differ, but this is not correct. Others pay too much attention to the creation date, which has nothing to do with name based uniqueness. Always remember that in a Windows folder, the combination of name and extension must be unique for each file. This rule will help you avoid confusion and answer similar exam questions correctly.


Final Answer:
The correct answer is They have the same name and are of the same file type.

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