11: OCI ‐ Basic Command Overview in Linux - pavankumarchittajallu/OCI_DOC GitHub Wiki

Basic Command Overview in Linux

1. Print Working Directory

• Command: pwd
• Shows the full path of your current directory, helping you know where you are in the filesystem.

2. List Directory Contents

• Command: ls
• Lists files and folders in the current directory.
• Common options:
  • ls -l (detailed list)
  • ls -a (show hidden files).

3. Change Directory

• Command: cd [directory]
• Moves you into the specified directory.
• Common usages:
  • cd .. (move up one level)
  • cd /path/to/dir (move to a specific directory)
  • cd ~ (go to home directory).

4. Make Directory

• Command: mkdir [directory-name]
• Creates a new directory.

5. Create an Empty File

• Command: touch [file-name]
• Creates a new empty file or updates the timestamp of an existing file.

6. Display File Contents

• Command: cat [file-name]
• Prints the contents of a file to the terminal.

7. Copy Files and Directories

• Command: cp [source] [destination]
• Copies files or directories.
• Use cp -r to copy directories recursively.

8. Move or Rename Files and Directories

• Command: mv [source] [destination]
• Moves files/directories or renames them.

9. Remove Files and Directories

• Command: rm [file-name]
• Deletes files.
• Use rm -r [directory] to remove directories and their contents.
• Use rm -d [directory] to remove empty directories.

10. Edit Text Files

• Command: nano [file-name]
• Opens the file in the nano text editor for editing.

11. Run Commands as Superuser

• Command: sudo [command]
• Executes a command with administrative privileges.

12. View Manual for a Command

• Command: man [command]
• Displays the manual page for a command.

13. Show Current User

• Command: whoami
• Prints the username of the current user.

14. Exit Terminal

• Command: exit
• Closes the current terminal session.

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