02. Intro to the CLI

This lab introduces essential Command Line Interface (CLI) commands in Linux-style operating systems.

You are getting the first edition of all these pages. Please let me know if you find an error!

You are responsible for knowing all the CLI commands in this lab.

By the end of the lab, you should be able to navigate the Linux file system, manage files and directories, manipulate text files, and utilize process management commands.

Make sure that you have completed Installing a *nix operating system first!

Pro tips before you get started

  1. Mega important:There is no notion of “undo” in the CLI. You run a command, it’s done. So you have to be careful when you do things like delete or move files in the CLI. There is no Trash Can.
  2. Press the Tab key while you are typing. The terminal will attempt to autocomplete the command or filename you are typing. Big typing time saver.
  3. Use the up arrow on your keyboard to cycle through the most-recently used commands you typed in. Good for re-running things.
  4. Program going crazy and the CLI is not responding? Stuck typing and can’t get out? Press Control+C (Linux) or Command+C to stop what is happening. This sends a signal to the OS to kill the current process.
Launching a Terminal

The terminal is the program that lets users access an OS’s Command Line Interface (CLI).

Navigating the file system

Use the CLI to move through the filesystem and see its contents.

File and directory management

Use the CLI to manage files and directories.

Text files

Use the CLI to manipulate and print text files (like source code).

Process management

Use the CLI to manipulate the OSes processes.

Last modified September 1, 2024.