Boston Python workshop 2/Friday setup/Terminal navigation on Windows: Difference between revisions
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<pre>dir</pre> |
<pre>dir</pre> |
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This lists all the files in your home directory. |
This lists all the files in your home directory. |
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<pre>cd C:\</pre> |
<pre>cd C:\</pre> |
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This will change you into the <code>C:\</code> directory. |
This will change you into the <code>C:\</code> directory. |
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<pre>dir</pre> |
<pre>dir</pre> |
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This lists the contents of the <code>C:\</code> directory. |
This lists the contents of the <code>C:\</code> directory. |
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<pre>cd Python27</pre> |
<pre>cd Python27</pre> |
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This will change you into the <code>Python27</code> subdirectory of the <code>C:\</code> directory. |
This will change you into the <code>Python27</code> subdirectory of the <code>C:\</code> directory. |
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<pre>dir</pre> |
<pre>dir</pre> |
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You should see the names of all the files in <code>C:\Python27</code>, including your <code>python.exe</code> application. |
You should see the names of all the files in <code>C:\Python27</code>, including your <code>python.exe</code> application. |
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<pre>cd ..</pre> |
<pre>cd ..</pre> |
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<code>..</code> means "parent directory", so this command moved you up to the parent directory. You were in <code>C:\Python27</code>, so now you are in <code>C:\</code>, the root directory. |
<code>..</code> means "parent directory", so this command moved you up to the parent directory. You were in <code>C:\Python27</code>, so now you are in <code>C:\</code>, the root directory. |
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<pre>dir</pre> |
<pre>dir</pre> |
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This lists the contents of the root directory, confirming where you are. |
This lists the contents of the root directory, confirming where you are. |
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* You can use Tab to auto-complete directory and file names. So from inside the root directory, if you type <code>cd Pytho</code> and hit Tab, the command prompt will auto-complete the directory name, and you can then hit enter to change into the <code>C:\Python27</code> directory. |
* You can use Tab to auto-complete directory and file names. So from inside the root directory, if you type <code>cd Pytho</code> and hit Tab, the command prompt will auto-complete the directory name, and you can then hit enter to change into the <code>C:\Python27</code> directory. |
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You've practiced using <code>dir</code> and <code>cd</code> to navigate your computer's filesystem from the command prompt. |
You've practiced using <code>dir</code> and <code>cd</code> to navigate your computer's filesystem from the command prompt. |
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[[Boston Python workshop 2/Friday setup|« Back to the Friday setup page]] |
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Latest revision as of 19:23, 12 May 2011
There are two commands that we'll be using at a command prompt to navigate the filesystem on your computer:
dircd
dir lists the contents of a directory.
cd moves you into a new directory (it stands for "change directory").
Let's practice using these commands.
Open a command prompt:
- On Windows Vista or Windows 7: click on the Start menu (the Windows logo in the lower left of the screen), type
cmdinto the Search field directly above the Start menu button, and click on "cmd" in the search results above the Search field. - On Windows XP: click on the Start menu (the Windows logo in the lower left of the screen), click on "Run...", type
cmdinto the text box, and hit enter.
Practice using dir and cd
Type each of these commands and hit enter:
dir
This lists all the files in your home directory.
cd C:\
This will change you into the C:\ directory.
dir
This lists the contents of the C:\ directory.
cd Python27
This will change you into the Python27 subdirectory of the C:\ directory.
dir
You should see the names of all the files in C:\Python27, including your python.exe application.
cd ..
.. means "parent directory", so this command moved you up to the parent directory. You were in C:\Python27, so now you are in C:\, the root directory.
dir
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 Pythoand hit Tab, the command prompt will auto-complete the directory name, and you can then hit enter to change into theC:\Python27directory. - The command prompt maintains a command history. You can use the up arrow to cycle through old commands.
- Note that the text that makes up the command prompt changes as you move around directories. The command prompt will always give the full directory path to your current directory.
Success!
You've practiced using dir and cd to navigate your computer's filesystem from the command prompt.