Command-Line 101
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The document provides an introduction to the Unix/Linux command line interface (CLI), explaining its purpose and key functions, such as executing commands and navigating directories. It includes common commands for tasks like creating, deleting, copying, and moving files, along with helpful tips and options for using these commands effectively. Additionally, the document lists useful resources for further learning and understanding the command line.
Command-Line 101
- 1. Command-line 101 GETTING TO KNOW THE UNIX/LINUX CLI https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ken_Thompson_(sitting)_and_Dennis_Ritchie_at_PDP-11_(2876612463).jpg
- 3. What is the Command Line? A terminal window, is a text-only window in a graphical user interface (GUI) that emulates a console. A GUI is a type of human-computer interface (i.e., a system for people to interact with a computer) that uses windows, icons, pull-down menus and a pointer and that can be manipulated by a mouse (and usually to some extent by a keyboard as well). A command is an instruction telling a computer to do something, such as launch a program. A command line interface (CLI) is an all-text display mode that has a command interpreter running in it and that shows commands, including their arguments, and other data as they are typed in at the keyboard as well as the results of most such commands. A command interpreter, also referred to as a shell, is a program whose primary function is to read commands that are typed into a console or terminal window and then execute (i.e., run) them. From the Linux Information Project (http://www.linfo.org/terminal_window.html)
- 4. Navigation > pwd Shows the path to the current directory. (Where am I?) “print working directory”
- 5. Navigation > ls List the contents of the current directory Options: • -l structured (includes permissions, owners, access dates) long list format • -R recursive (show subdirectories too) • -a all (show hidden system files too) (What’s in here?) “list contents”
- 6. Navigation In your terminal, try: > ls --help This will list all the available options with brief explanations for each. Some might not make sense yet – don’t worry. Try a few out! Can you figure out what the following do? > ls -r > ls -A > ls –s –h –S
- 7. Useful CLI tips and tricks If you want to… Try: See basic help <command> --help See the manual for a command man <command> Exit from manual or page view q Show last command you entered up arrow Autocomplete filename or path tab Kill a process CTRL + c Jump to beginning of a command CTRL + a
- 8. Navigation > cd <directory name> Changes to the specified directory (How do I get over there?) > cd .. Up one level > cd ../.. Up two levels (etc.) > cd ~ Home directory > cd Home directory > cd - Change to last directory “change directory”
- 9. READING, CREATING, COPYING, REMOVING, EDITING http://www.slashfilm.com/hackers-oral-history/
- 10. Creating directories > mkdir <name> Makes a new directory called <name> (How can I make a new folder?) “make directory” > mkdir –v Verbose – output info after > mkdir –p Create parents as needed
- 11. Deleting directories > rmdir <name> Deletes directory called <name>. Directory MUST be empty for the command to succeed. (How can I remove an existing folder?) “remove directory” > rmdir –v Verbose – output info after > rmdir –p Delete parents as well (if also empty – if there are files in there or other directories it will fail)
- 12. Deleting files > rm <filename> Deletes file called <filename>. (How can I remove an existing file?) “remove” > rm -v Verbose – output info after > rm –i Prompt before every deletion > rm –r Recursive – remove subdirs and contents below as well > rm –f Force – ignore warnings
- 13. DANGER! rm is a powerful command, and you can easily accidentally delete a lot with the –r and –f options… https://steemit.com/health/@kyusho/danger-will-robinson
- 14. Copying files > cp <file1> <file2> Makes a copy of <file1> in location and with name of <file2>. Example: (How can I copy a file to another place?) “copy” > cp atom/LICENSE /vagrant/atom-license.txt NOTE: if /vagrant/atom-license.txt already exists, then it will be overwritten! See the manual for other options
- 15. Moving files > mv <file1> <file2> Moves <file1> to new location <file2>. Can rename file as part of the operation. (How can I move a file to another place?) “move” NOTE: if <file2> already exists, then it will be overwritten by the contents of <file1> See the manual for other options
- 16. Reading files (How can I view the contents of a file?) > less <filename> Show 1 page at a time. Space bar will page through, q to quit > cat <filename> Print whole file in terminal > head <filename> Display first 10 lines of <filename> > tail <filename> Display last 10 lines > tail –f <filename> Display last 10 lines and contents as the file grows. Useful for logs, etc.
- 17. Show current date and time > date See a calendar of the current month > cal See a calendar of the current year > cal -y List users logged on to this server > who Show your username > whoami List users and session info > w https://www.therefinedgeek.com.au/index.php/2012/10/02/mcpixel-oh-the-lols-you-will-have/
- 18. Clear current commands out of view > clear Clear current commands out of view > CTRL + L Show full history of commands in this session > history copy to clipboard in the terminal > CTRL + INSERT paste from clipboard in terminal > SHIFT + INSERT Repeat the last command > !! Exit current session, close terminal > exit https://www.therefinedgeek.com.au/index.php/2012/10/02/mcpixel-oh-the-lols-you-will-have/
- 19. Resources – Cheat Sheets • FossWire Unix/Linux Command Reference • GettingGeneticsDone blog cheat sheet maintained at Tufts University • CheatSheetWorld Unix/Linux cheat sheet • LinOxide Linux cheat sheet There are plenty more out there!
- 20. Resources – Tutorials • LinuxCommand – Learning the Shell tutorial • LearnPythonTheHardWay – Command Line Crash Course • Ryan’s Tutorials – Linux Tutorial • Learn Enough Society – Learn Enough of the Command Line to be Dangerous There are plenty more out there!