Navigating Directories
Introduction
In this tutorial, we'll explore how to navigate directories using the command line. This is an essential skill for anyone working with a terminal or command prompt, allowing you to move through the file system efficiently.
Current Working Directory
The first step in navigating directories is understanding your current location in the file system. You can use the pwd command, which stands for "print working directory".
Example:
pwd
Listing Directory Contents
To see the contents of a directory, use the ls command. This will list all files and subdirectories in your current directory.
Example:
ls
Changing Directories
To move to a different directory, use the cd command followed by the directory's path. For example, to move into the "Documents" directory:
Example:
cd Documents
To move up one level in the directory hierarchy, use cd ..:
Example:
cd ..
Absolute vs Relative Paths
Paths can be either absolute or relative. An absolute path starts from the root directory (e.g., /home/user/Documents), while a relative path is relative to the current directory (e.g., Documents).
Example of using an absolute path:
cd /home/user/Documents
Example of using a relative path:
cd Documents
Creating and Removing Directories
You can create a new directory using the mkdir command followed by the name of the new directory:
Example:
mkdir new_directory
To remove an empty directory, use the rmdir command:
Example:
rmdir new_directory
Conclusion
By mastering these basic commands for navigating directories, you'll be able to efficiently move through the file system, manage directories, and understand your current location within the terminal. Practice these commands to become more comfortable with command-line navigation.