Boston Python workshop 2/Friday setup/Terminal navigation on Linux: Difference between revisions
imported>Jesstess (Created page with 'There are three commands that we'll be using at a command prompt to navigate the filesystem on your computer: * <code>ls</code> * <code>pwd</code> * <code>cd</code> <code>ls</co…') |
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You've practiced using <code>ls</code>, <code>pwd</code>, and <code>cd</code> to navigate your computer's filesystem from the command prompt. |
You've practiced using <code>ls</code>, <code>pwd</code>, and <code>cd</code> to navigate your computer's filesystem from the command prompt. |
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Latest revision as of 19:28, 12 May 2011
There are three commands that we'll be using at a command prompt to navigate the filesystem on your computer:
ls
pwd
cd
ls
lists the contents of a directory.
pwd
gives the full directory path to your current directory.
cd
moves you into a new directory (it stands for "change directory").
Let's practice using these commands.
Open a command prompt:
You can find the Terminal application at Applications/Accessories/Terminal, or it may already be on your menu bar.
Practice using ls
, pwd
, and cd
Type each of these commands and hit enter:
ls
This lists all the files in your home directory.
pwd
This displays the full directory path to your current directory, which is your home directory.
cd /
This will change you into the /
root directory.
ls
This lists the contents of the /
root directory.
cd home
This will change you into the home
subdirectory of the /
root directory.
ls
You should see a list of all the files in /home
, including the directory for your username -- your home directory.
pwd
This displays the full directory path to your current directory, /home
.
cd ..
..
means "parent directory", so this command moved you up to the parent directory. You were in /home
, so now you are in /
, the root directory.
ls
This lists the contents of the root directory, confirming where you are.
- You can use Tab to auto-complete directory and file names. So from inside the root directory, if you type
cd U
and hit Tab, the command prompt will auto-complete the directory name as much as it can. - The command prompt maintains a command history. You can use the up arrow to cycle through old commands.
Success!
You've practiced using ls
, pwd
, and cd
to navigate your computer's filesystem from the command prompt.