Basic command lines for the developers

Command Line:

an essential tool for software development.

useful to execute a wide variety of programs on your computer.

a tool for interacting with a computer using text (also known as a text interface).

Unix Commands is a type of command that is used in Linux and macOS.

Commands are instruction given to the computer into what is called a terminal.

NOTE: 1. For Windows, we use POWERSHELL or GIT BASH.

NOTE: 2. Here we will use the word directory (plural: directories) in place of folder often. They both are the same thing, and they’re used interchangeably.

Be Motivated!

Commands:

$ start . (for windows) or $ open . (for Linux/macOS)

— Opens File Explorer where we use GUI to manipulate the Files or Folders/Directories.

$ pwd

— stands for Print Working Directory.

— On the command line, it is important to know the directory you’re working. Here comes pwd command to check that.

— When you execute the pwd command, all the directories from the root directory to the current directory are displayed.

$ ls

— when moving between directories, it would be convenient if we could see the list of files and directories in the current directory. ls command is used for the same.

— it is important to note that ls command will only display the files and directories that are direct children of the current directory.

— to read hidden files give the command: $ ls -a

$ cd

— stands for Change Directory.

— if you execute cd without specifying a directory or cd ~, you can move to what is called a home directory.

(i) $ cd directory_name command helps you to move to another specified directory.

(ii) $ cd .. command let you move back to your previous folder.

$ mkdir directory_name

— you can create a new directory using mkdir directory_name command as well.

$ touch filename.extension

— you can create an empty file of any type.

$ cat filename.extension

— it displays the text content of the file.

$ cp file_to_copy new_file_name

— used for copying files.

$ cp -r directory_to_copy new_directory_name

— used for copying directories.

— -r stands for a recursive function.

— important: not applying -r will result in an error and the command will not be executed.

$ rm filename.extension

— used for deleting files.

$ rm -r directory_name

— used for deleting the non-empty directory.

$ rmdir directory_name

— used for deleting an empty directory.

Tips & Tricks:

ctrl + l clears the terminal.

tab helps for auto-completion.

~ means you’re in the root or home folder/directory.

$ sign denotes it’s a command at any site you check.

up and down arrows help you to get the command history to use it again as a new command.