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Boston Python Workshop 8/Friday/Linux terminal navigation (view source)

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imported>Jesstess
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__NOTOC__
 
[[File:Utilities-terminal.png|200px]]
 
== Practice navigating from a terminal ==
 
The filesystem on your computer is like a tree made up of folders (also called "directories") and files. The filesystem has a root directory called <tt>/</tt>, and everything on your computer lives in subdirectories of this root directory.
 
We often navigate the filesystem graphically by clicking on graphical folders. We can do the exact same navigation from the command lineterminal.
 
There are three commands that we'll be using atin athe command promptterminal to navigate the filesystem on your computer:
* <code>ls</code>
* <code>pwd</code>
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Let's practice using these commands.
 
===Open a command prompt:terminal===
 
You can find the Terminal application atthrough Applications/Accessories/TerminalSpotlight, or itnavigate mayto already be on your menu barApplications/Utilities/Terminal.
 
===Practice using <code>ls</code>, <code>pwd</code>, and <code>cd</code>===
 
(that's an l the letter, not the number 1)
 
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<br />
 
<pre>cd homeUsers</pre>
This will change you into the <code>homeUsers</code> subdirectory of the <code>/</code> root directory.
 
<br />
 
<pre>ls</pre>
You should see a list of all the files in <code>/homeUsers</code>, including the directory for your username. The directory for your username (e.g. <tt>/homeUsers/jessicaJessica</tt>) is often called your "home directory".
 
<br />
 
<pre>pwd</pre>
This displays the full directory path to your current directory, <code>/homeUsers</code>.
 
<br />
 
<pre>cd ..</pre>
<code>..</code> means "parent directory", so this command moved you up to the parent directory. You were in <code>/homeUsers</code>, so now you are in <code>/</code>, the root directory.
 
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===Tips===
 
* You can use Tab to auto-complete directory and file names. So from inside the root directory <tt>/</tt>, if you type <code>cd hoUs</code> and hit Tab, the command promptterminal will auto-complete the directory name, and you can then hit enter to change into the <code>/homeUsers</code> directory.
* The command promptterminal maintains a command history. You can use the up arrow to cycle through old commands.
 
===Check your understanding===
 
Answer these questions. Experiment at the commandterminal lineprompt if you need to! If you aren't sure about an answer, ask a helper.
 
# What directory are you in after starting a new command lineterminal prompt?
# After starting a new command lineterminal prompt, how would you get to the root directory?
# How do you check what files and directories are in your current working directory?
# If you are in directory <tt>/homeUsers</tt>, and you want to get to <tt>/homeUsers/jesstess/projects</tt>, how would you do that?
# What are 2 ways to avoid typing out a full navigation command? (hint: one requires that you've run the command before)
# What is the difference between a commandterminal prompt and a Python prompt?
 
===Success!===
 
You've practiced using <code>ls</code>, <code>pwd</code>, and <code>cd</code> to navigate your computer's filesystem from the command promptterminal.
 
[[File:Champagne.png|100px]][[File:Party.png|125px]]
 
[[Boston Python Workshop 8/Friday|&laquo; Back to the Friday setup page]]
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