Basic Linux Command Line#

Open a terminal.

  • whoami: Displays username.

whoami

  • hostname: Displays the name of the current host.

hostname

  • pwd (Print Working Directory): Shows the current directory (folder).

pwd

  • ls (List): Lists the files and directories in the current directory.

ls /SNS
ls /HFIR

  • cd (Change Directory): Moves to a different directory.

cd /SNS
cd /HFIR
cd ~/

  • mkdir (Make Directory): Creates a new directory.

mkdir new_directory

  • touch: Creates an empty file or updates the timestamp of an existing file.

touch filename

  • cp (Copy): Copies files or directories.

cp source destination

  • mv (Move): Moves or renames files or directories.

mv source destination

  • rm (Remove): Deletes files or directories. This action is irreversible.

rm file_name

  • nano or vim (Text Editors): Opens a terminal-based text editor to create or modify files.

nano filename

  • gedit (Text Editors): Opens a GUI-based text editor to modify files.

gedit filename

  • cat (Concatenate and Display): Displays the content of a file.

cat filename

  • man (Manual): Displays the manual pages for a command. Provides detailed information about the command and its options.

man command_name

  • echo: Prints a message or a variable to the terminal.

echo "Got Neutrons?"

  • history: Displays a list of recently used commands.

history

  • chmod (Change Mode): Changes the permissions of a file.

chmod permissions filename