Basic Linux Commands

You can use the man command to quickly check the manual of a command/program. For example, to check the manual of the cp command, you can simply do: $ man cp

Examples of Basic Commands in the Linux Command Line

• To check your current directory use the command:
  $ pwd
• Copy a folder to your home directory:
  $ cp -r /opt/intro ~
  Copy a file to your home directory:
  $ cp /opt/intro/helloworld.f ~
  Note: The tilde symbol is your home directory
• List the contents of your home directory:
  $ ls
• Go to the newly copied directory intro and list contents:
  $ cd intro
$ ls
• Create a new folder, testfolder, here:
  $ mkdir testfolder
$ ls
• Move/Rename a file (or folder):
  $ mv helloworld.f helloworld2.f
$ls
$ mv helloworld2.f ./testfolder/
$ ls
$ ls ./testfolder
  Note: Here the dot above represents the current directory.
• Go back to your home directory:
  $ cd
• Delete file/folder:
  $ ls
$ rm helloworld.f
$ ls
$ rm -r intro
$ ls