01Which statement best explains “Files, Directories, Programs, and Processes” in this track?
Guided Course · Foundation
Web Runtime & Developer Mental Models
Understand the machine, process, network, browser, server, and terminal boundaries before frameworks.
Track project: Debug a Local Web App. Finish the lessons, then close the transcript and build the project using evidence instead of copy-paste. Open project →
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Files, Directories, Programs, and Processes
Here’s the simple reason this matters: This lesson is about Files, Directories, Programs, and Processes. Keep the idea practical: in local development: files, processes, the shell, the network, and the browser, the worked example should show that the shell shows your working directory, any Node process, and the new Node process prints its PID plus the directory it considers the current working directory. Once you can explain why that happens, the name is much easier to remember. We connect it to the course project so you can see the idea working instead of memorizing a definition.
Terminal, Shell, and Working Directory
Here’s the simple reason this matters: This lesson is about Terminal, Shell, and Working Directory. Keep the idea practical: in local development: files, processes, the shell, the network, and the browser, the worked example should show that the second `pwd` points at `taskflow-lab`, and relative paths now resolve from that folder. Once you can explain why that happens, the name is much easier to remember. We connect it to the course project so you can see the idea working instead of memorizing a definition.
PATH and Environment Variables
Here’s the simple reason this matters: This lesson is about PATH and Environment Variables. Keep the idea practical: in local development: files, processes, the shell, the network, and the browser, the worked example should show that `where.exe node` reveals which executable wins PATH lookup, and the Node process receives `COURSE_MODE=development`. Once you can explain why that happens, the name is much easier to remember. We connect it to the course project so you can see the idea working instead of memorizing a definition.
Runtime vs Build Time
Here’s the simple reason this matters: This lesson is about Runtime vs Build Time. Keep the idea practical: in local development: files, processes, the shell, the network, and the browser, the worked example should show that the build value stays fixed while the runtime value changes each time the program runs. Once you can explain why that happens, the name is much easier to remember. We connect it to the course project so you can see the idea working instead of memorizing a definition.
Ports, localhost, and Listening Processes
Here’s the simple reason this matters: This lesson is about Ports, localhost, and Listening Processes. Keep the idea practical: in local development: files, processes, the shell, the network, and the browser, the worked example should show that a Node process listens on TCP port 4100. Opening another unused port fails because no process is listening there. Once you can explain why that happens, the name is much easier to remember. We connect it to the course project so you can see the idea working instead of memorizing a definition.
IP Addresses and DNS
Here’s the simple reason this matters: This lesson is about IP Addresses and DNS. Keep the idea practical: in local development: files, processes, the shell, the network, and the browser, the worked example should show that dNS resolution produces IP address records, while the connection test separately checks whether TCP port 443 is reachable. Once you can explain why that happens, the name is much easier to remember. We connect it to the course project so you can see the idea working instead of memorizing a definition.
HTTP Request and Response Cycle
Here’s the simple reason this matters: This lesson is about HTTP Request and Response Cycle. Keep the idea practical: in local development: files, processes, the shell, the network, and the browser, the worked example should show that the request contains method, target, and headers; the response independently contains status, headers, and a body. Once you can explain why that happens, the name is much easier to remember. We connect it to the course project so you can see the idea working instead of memorizing a definition.
Browser, Server, and Database Boundaries
Here’s the simple reason this matters: This lesson is about Browser, Server, and Database Boundaries. Keep the idea practical: in local development: files, processes, the shell, the network, and the browser, the worked example should show that each hop crosses a boundary with different trust, runtime, and debugging evidence. Once you can explain why that happens, the name is much easier to remember. We connect it to the course project so you can see the idea working instead of memorizing a definition.
Packages, Dependencies, and Lockfiles
Here’s the simple reason this matters: This lesson is about Packages, Dependencies, and Lockfiles. Keep the idea practical: in local development: files, processes, the shell, the network, and the browser, the worked example should show that `package.json` states the dependency intent while the lockfile records the resolved graph used for deterministic installs. Once you can explain why that happens, the name is much easier to remember. We connect it to the course project so you can see the idea working instead of memorizing a definition.
Development vs Production
Here’s the simple reason this matters: This lesson is about Development vs Production. Keep the idea practical: in local development: files, processes, the shell, the network, and the browser, the worked example should show that development optimizes feedback speed; production optimizes repeatability, security, performance, and operability. Once you can explain why that happens, the name is much easier to remember. We connect it to the course project so you can see the idea working instead of memorizing a definition.
Debugging by Boundaries
Here’s the simple reason this matters: This lesson is about Debugging by Boundaries. Keep the idea practical: in local development: files, processes, the shell, the network, and the browser, the worked example should show that the investigation stops at the first boundary where observed evidence differs from what should have happened. Once you can explain why that happens, the name is much easier to remember. We connect it to the course project so you can see the idea working instead of memorizing a definition.
Runtime Mental Model Checkpoint
Here’s the simple reason this matters: This lesson is about Runtime Mental Model Checkpoint. Keep the idea practical: in local development: files, processes, the shell, the network, and the browser, the worked example should show that you can name the owner and observable evidence at each boundary without treating the framework as magic. Once you can explain why that happens, the name is much easier to remember. We connect it to the course project so you can see the idea working instead of memorizing a definition.
Track knowledge check
Check the mental models before the project
Answer from memory. If two options sound similar, explain the boundary difference before choosing.
02Which statement best explains “Terminal, Shell, and Working Directory” in this track?
03Which statement best explains “PATH and Environment Variables” in this track?
04Which statement best explains “Runtime vs Build Time” in this track?
05Which statement best explains “Ports, localhost, and Listening Processes” in this track?
06Which statement best explains “IP Addresses and DNS” in this track?
07Which statement best explains “HTTP Request and Response Cycle” in this track?
08Which statement best explains “Browser, Server, and Database Boundaries” in this track?
09Which statement best explains “Packages, Dependencies, and Lockfiles” in this track?
10Which statement best explains “Development vs Production” in this track?