A hierarchical structure such as the organization of a company. The term is derived from the concept of tree branches. For example, in a company organization chart, the top of the tree is the starting point, or highest level, such as the executive office. Various departments are branches that stem from the highest level, with smaller sections branching off the departments.
Files and Folders and the Root
The term often refers to the file/folder hierarchy of a hard disk. In Windows, the Explorer utility is used to display these hierarchies, while Finder provides the same view in the Mac. In an application, menu options such as "view directory," "directory tree," "view tree" or simply "tree" also display the hierarchy.
The very top of a file/folder hierarchy is called the "root," even though the roots of a real tree are at the bottom in the earth. The file/folder tree is conceptualized as a real tree upside down. See root and forests and trees.
Windows and Mac Trees
File/folder hierarchies on a disk are displayed from left to right. For example, the highest folder displayed in the Windows example (top) is Program Files, while the highest level in the Mac example (bottom) is the Utilities folder.
Files and Folders and the Root
The term often refers to the file/folder hierarchy of a hard disk. In Windows, the Explorer utility is used to display these hierarchies, while Finder provides the same view in the Mac. In an application, menu options such as "view directory," "directory tree," "view tree" or simply "tree" also display the hierarchy.
The very top of a file/folder hierarchy is called the "root," even though the roots of a real tree are at the bottom in the earth. The file/folder tree is conceptualized as a real tree upside down. See root and forests and trees.
Windows and Mac Trees
File/folder hierarchies on a disk are displayed from left to right. For example, the highest folder displayed in the Windows example (top) is Program Files, while the highest level in the Mac example (bottom) is the Utilities folder.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
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