File management

Dealing with files in web-based applications is not always straightforward. While Moodle provides a user interface to perform this task, it is sometimes necessary that, as the administrator, you will have to bypass this mechanism and use other means. First though, let us look at the built-in file handling that is also the one used by students and teachers.

Moodle file management interface

Moodle offers a basic file management interface which lets you upload, move, delete, and rename files and directories. We have already talked about how Moodle stores files at system level the ones we are not to touch! At application level, it arranges files according to Moodle's structure.

Note

In Moodle, a file is always connected to the particular bit of Moodle that uses it.

Files are organized in a tree-like structure, which has three types of main branches:

• Categories/Courses/Activities and Resources

• Users (private files and personal backups)

• Front Page (Moodle's home page)

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