System for extending the file system API

A computer readable medium storing computer instructions, which when executed, enables a computer system to manage data using a file name on a computer system having a graphical user interface and a file system storing files with a file hierarchy, the computer instructions comprising:

• entering a command from an application to create a file;
• displaying the file hierarchy;
• allowing a user to select at least one folder;
• saving data in a first file having a file name in one selected folder;
• in each of the other selected folders, creating a shortcut file having a different file name from the first file and containing a pointer to the first file;
• creating a hidden file in the folder containing the first file, the hidden file containing a list of pointers to the shortcut files;
• and
• using the hidden file during file management operations to keep track of occurrences of the shortcut files in the file hierarchy,
• wherein a file may be opened and modified, the opening including:
• entering a command from an application to open a file;
• displaying the file hierarchy and selecting one of the at least one folder;
• selecting a file having a different name from the first file;
• if the file to be opened is not a shortcut file, opening the first file;
• and
• if the file to be opened is a shortcut file, pointing to and opening the first file;
• and wherein, if the opened file is modified, a modified version of the opened file may be saved in one of two ways according to the user's preference,
• a first method including saving the modified version of the opened file in the opened file, regardless of whether the opened file was opened via the opened file or one of the at least one shortcut files pointing to the opened file, and
• a second method including saving the modified version of the opened file to at least one, but not all of, the at least one shortcuts, according to the user's selection.