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Shortcut (computing)

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A computer shortcut (shortcut) is a small file containing a target URI or the name of a target program file that the shortcut represents. The shortcut might additionally specify parameters to be passed to the target program when it is run. Shortcuts are commonly placed on a desktop, in an application launcher panel, or in the main menu of a desktop environment. Shortcuts typically work only from within a graphical user interface and generally not from within a command line interface.

Implementations

Microsoft Windows uses .lnk as the filename extension for shortcuts to local files, and .URL for shortcuts to remote files, like web pages. Commonly referred to as "shortcuts" or "link files", both are displayed with a curled arrow by default, and no filename extension. (The extension remains hidden in Windows Explorer even when "Hide extensions for known file types" is unchecked in File Type options, because it is controlled by the NeverShowExt option in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile in the Registry. The IsShortcut option causes the arrow to be displayed.)

Some desktop environments for UNIX-like operating systems, such as GNOME or KDE provide freedesktop.org .desktop files. These can be used to point to local or remote files, folders, and applications.

Macintosh System 7 through Mac OS 8.1 have a similar concept called aliases, which distinguish themselves visually to the user by the fact that their file names were in italics. In Mac OS 8.5, another distinguishing mark was added, badging with an "alias arrow" – a black arrow on a small white square – similar to that used for shortcuts in Microsoft Windows.

In Mac OS X, the filenames of aliases are not italicized, but the arrow badge remains.

Generally the effect of double-clicking a shortcut is intended to be the same as double-clicking the application to which it refers, but Windows shortcuts contain separate properties for the target file and the "Start In" directory. If the latter parameter is not entered, attempting to use the shortcut may generate "missing DLL" errors not present when the application is accessed directly.[1]

History

With early Graphical User Interfaces to execute an application or render a file, the user had to click on the representation of the actual file or executable in the location where the application or file was.

The concept of disassociating the executable from the icon representing an instruction to perform a task associated with that file or executable so that they may be grouped by function or task rather than physical organisation in the file structure was first described in the research paper "A Task Oriented Front End For The Windows Graphical User Interface" published in 1991 by Kingston University and presented to both Microsoft and Xerox EuroPARC that same year under an academia/business technology sharing agreement.

A simplified form of this research was incorporated into Windows 95.

See also

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