Class notes
The Linux Command Line Chapter Two Notes
These are notes from the book "The Linux Command Line" fifth edition that summarizes chapter two.
[Show more]
Connected book
Book Title:
Author(s):
- Edition:
- ISBN:
- Edition:
Seller
Follow
Content preview
CS 105 Computing Tools3. Overview of Linux File System
2 - Navigation
pwd: Print name of current working directory.
cd: Change directory
ls - List directory contents
Understanding the File System Tree
Like Windows, a Unix- like operating system such as Linux organizes its files that are
called hierarchical directory structure. This means they are organized in a tree-like pattern
of directories (sometimes called folders in other systems), which may contain files and
directories. The first directory in the file system is called the root directory. The root
directory contains files and subdirectories, which contain more files and subdirectories.
Unlike Windows, which has a separate file system tree for each storage device, Unix-like
systems such as Linux always have a single file system tree, regardless of how many
drives or storage devices are attached to the computer. Storage devices are attached (or
more correctly, mounted) at various points on the tree according to the whims of the
system administrator, the person (or people) responsible for the maintenance of the
system.
The Current Working Directory
Imagine that the file system is a maze shaped like an upside-down tree and we are able to
stand in the middle of it. At any given time, we are inside a single directory, and we can
see the files contained in the directory and the pathway to the directory above us (called
the parent directory) and any subdirectories below us. The directory we are standing in is
called the current working directory. To display the current working directory, we use the
pwd (print working directory) command.
When we first log in our system (or start a terminal emulator session) our current
working directory is set to our home directory. Each user account is given its own home
directory, and it is the only place a regular user to allowed to write files.
Listing the Contents of a Directory
To list the files and directories in the current working directory, we use the ls command.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller cierrabrady1. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $7.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
73314 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy study notes for 14 years now