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This page will give you the basic commands needed to navigate the unix file structure and perform file manipulation tasks.

It may be valuable to reference the diagram below while learning about these commands.

Note: To learn more about any of these commands type "man command" (no quotes) at the mode prompt where "command" is replaced with any of the below commands. "man" stands for the on-line manual. Example:

mode:~>man ls

File commands

• ls : This command will list the contents of the directory (folder) that you are currently in. Adding a "-F" (no quotes) to this command will indicate which listings correspond to directories (folders) by tacking a "/" to the end of its' name. Example:

  mode:~> ls
  
  data.txt     mail         public_html
  
  mode:~> ls -F
  
  data.txt      mail/         public_html/
  
  mode:~> 
  

• mv : This command will rename the file and keep it in the current directory, or move the file into a different directory (folder). Example:

  mode:~> ls -F
  
  data.txt     mail/        public_html/
  
  mode:~> mv data.txt backup.txt
  
  mode:~> ls -F
  
  backup.txt   mail/        public_html/
  
  mode:~> mv backup.txt  public_html
  
  mode:~> ls -F
  
  mail/        public_html/
  
  mode:~> cd public_html
  
  mode:~/public_html> ls
  
  abstract9900.shtml  backup.txt   index.html
  
  mode:~/public_html> 
  

• cp : This command will make a copy of a file. You must give the copy a new name if you make a copy in the same directory (folder). You may keep the name the same if you make a copy ina different directory . Example:

  mode:~> ls -F
  
  data.txt      mail/         public_html/
  
  mode:~> cp data.txt new_data.txt
  
  mode:~> ls -F
  
  data.txt    mail/    new_data.txt  public_html/
  
  mode:~> cp data.txt public_html
  
  mode:~> ls -F
  
  data.txt    mail/    new_data.txt  public_html/
  
  mode:~> cd public_html
  
  mode:~/public_html> ls -F
  
  abstract9900.shtml  data.txt       index.html
  
  mode:~/public_html> 
  

• rm : This command will remove a file from your current directory (folder). Example:

  mode:~> ls -F
  
  data.txt    mail/    new_data.txt  public_html/
  
  mode:~> rm data.txt 
  
  mode:~> ls -F
  
  mail/       new_data.txt  public_html/
  
  mode:~> rm new_data.txt 
  
  mode:~> ls -F
  
  mail/         public_html/
  
  mode:~> 
  

Directory (Folder) Commands

• pwd : This command will display your present working directory (folder) that you are currently in. Example:

  mode:~> pwd
  
  /scc/users/ch099abc
  
  mode:~> 
  

• mkdir : This command will make a directory (folder). Example:

  mode:~> ls -F
  
  data.txt      mail/         public_html/
  
  mode:~> mkdir java_progs
  
  mode:~> ls -F
  
  data.txt   java_progs/   mail/   public_html/
  
  mode:~> 
  

• rmdir : This command will remove a directory (folder). Note that the directory you wish to remove must be empty before you can delete it. Example:

  mode:~> ls -F
  
  data.txt   java_progs/   mail/   public_html/
  
  mode:~> rmdir java_progs/
  
  mode:~> ls -F
  
  data.txt      mail/         public_html/
  
  mode:~> 
  

• cd : This command will change directories (folders). Example:

  mode:~> ls -F
  
  data.txt      mail/         public_html/
  
  mode:~> cd public_html
  
  mode:~/public_html> pwd
  
  /scc/users/ch099abc/public_html
  
  mode:~/public_html> 
  

  You can "go up" a directory (folder) by using a "..". Example:

  mode:~/public_html> pwd
  
  /scc/users/ch099abc/public_html
  
  mode:~/public_html> cd ..
  
  mode:~> pwd
  
  /scc/users/ch099abc
  
  mode:~>
  

  Using the cd command without any arguments will take you from anywhere in the file structure to your home directory (folder). Example:

  mode:~/public_html> pwd
  
  /scc/users/ch099abc/public_html
  
  mode:~/public_html> cd
  
  mode:~> pwd
  
  /scc/users/ch099abc
  
  mode:~>
  

Note how the prompt changes when your are in different directories (folders). The prompt includes information which indicates which directory you are currently in. This allows you to be aware of your location without having to use the pwd command. If a "~" appears in this information, it denotes where you are located with respect to your home directory.

Not all Unix/Linux systems will be set up so that the prompt indicates which directory you are currently in. Mode has this feature ... Pi does not.