File naming conventions
The name of each file must be unique within the directory where it is stored. This ensures that the file also has a unique path name in the file system.
File naming guidelines are:
- A file name can be up to 255 characters long and can contain letters, numbers, and underscores.
- The operating system is case-sensitive, which means it distinguishes between uppercase and lowercase letters in file names. Therefore, FILEA, FiLea, and filea are three distinct file names, even if they reside in the same directory.
- File names should be as descriptive and meaningful as possible.
- Directories follow the same naming conventions as files.
- Certain characters have special meaning to the operating system.
Avoid using these characters when you are naming files. These characters
include the following:
/ \ " ' * ; - ? [ ] ( ) ~ ! $ { } < > # @ & | space tab newline - A file name is hidden from a normal directory listing if it begins with a dot (.). When the ls command is entered with the -a flag, the hidden files are listed along with regular files and directories.