Computational Techniques for Life Sciences

Best Practices for file and directory organization

Organization is the key

Folder hierarchies

• Place folder and files in nested hierarchies
  • logically organized by concept
  • avoid folders with large numbers of file.
    • DISCUSSION: Why?
  • when nesting, organize with names from the most broad concept at the top to the least broad for the final folders and files.
  • Follow a consistent tree structure for similar analyses

File names

• Naming conventions
  • only alphanumeric characters “_” or “-“
  • Try to have informative extensions
    • .exe, .txt, .script
  • EXAMPLE :
    • sample_method_initials_date_version.extension
    • mustard_chr1_assembly_bwb_060217.fasta

• Consider having a README.txt file that describes the contents and naming conventions of your research folder.

  
  

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