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Navigating the File System (cd, ls, pwd)

In this lesson, we’ll focus on navigating the Linux file system using essential commands: cd, ls, and pwd. These commands are fundamental for moving around directories, listing files, and checking your current location within the file system.

The Linux File System Hierarchy​

The Linux file system is structured hierarchically, with directories arranged in a tree-like format. The root directory (/) is at the top, and all other directories stem from it.

Key directories to be familiar with:

  • / (Root Directory): The topmost directory in the hierarchy.
  • /home: Contains user-specific directories (e.g., /home/user for user user).
  • /bin: Contains essential system binaries (e.g., ls, cp).
  • /etc: Holds system-wide configuration files.
  • /usr: Stores user programs and utilities.
  • /var: Contains variable files like logs and databases.

The pwd Command: Print Working Directory​

As mentioned in the previous chapter, pwd (Print Working Directory) is used to display the absolute path of your current directory. It is a quick way to check where you are in the file system.

Example:​

$ pwd
/home/user

This command will return the absolute path of your current directory, which in this case is /home/user.

Tip: If you're ever unsure of where you are in the file system, pwd is the command to run.

The ls Command: List Files and Directories​

ls is one of the most commonly used commands in Linux. It lists files and directories in the current directory, allowing you to see what’s available.

Basic Usage​

$ ls
file1.txt  file2.txt  folder1  folder2

This will list all non-hidden files and directories in the current directory.

Options and Flags​

To enhance the functionality of ls, you can use various options:

  • -l: Long format. Shows detailed information about each file, such as permissions, ownership, size, and modification date.
$ ls -l
total 12
-rw-r--r-- 1 user user  312 Dec 31 12:34 file1.txt
drwxr-xr-x 2 user user 4096 Dec 31 12:36 folder1
  • -a: List all files, including hidden ones (those starting with .).
$ ls -a
.  ..  .hidden_file  file1.txt  folder1
  • -lh: Display file sizes in a human-readable format (e.g., KB, MB).
$ ls -lh
-rw-r--r-- 1 user user 1.1K Dec 31 12:34 file1.txt
drwxr-xr-x 2 user user 4096 Dec 31 12:36 folder1
  • -R: Recursively list the contents of subdirectories.
$ ls -R
folder1:
file1.txt  file2.txt

folder2:
file3.txt

Viewing Files in Specific Directories​

You can also specify a path to list the contents of another directory:

$ ls /home/user/Documents
file1.txt  folder1  folder2

The cd Command: Change Directory​

cd (Change Directory) is the command used to navigate between directories in the file system.

Moving to a Specific Directory​

You can provide either an absolute path or a relative path to change directories:

  • Absolute Path: Specifies the full path from the root directory (starts with /).
$ cd /home/user/Documents
  • Relative Path: Specifies the path relative to your current location in the file system.
$ cd folder1

Moving Up One Level​

To move up one level (to the parent directory), use ..:

$ cd ..

For example, if you're in /home/user/Documents/folder1, running cd .. will take you to /home/user/Documents.

Returning to the Home Directory​

You can return to your home directory by simply typing:

$ cd

Alternatively, you can use ~ (tilde), which is a shortcut for the home directory:

$ cd ~
  • Absolute path: The full path from the root directory (e.g., /home/user/Documents).
  • Relative path: The path relative to your current directory (e.g., folder1 if you're in /home/user/Documents).

Example:​

$ cd /home/user/Documents  # Absolute path
$ cd folder1  # Relative path

Combining cd, ls, and pwd​

You can chain the use of cd, ls, and pwd for efficient navigation.

1. Check your current directory:​

$ pwd
/home/user/Documents

2. List the contents of the current directory:​

$ ls
file1.txt  folder1  folder2

3. Change to a directory:​

$ cd folder1

4. Check your new location:​

$ pwd
/home/user/folder1

5. List the files in the new directory:​

$ ls
file1.txt  file2.txt

Helpful Tips for Navigating the File System​

  • Tab Completion: Use the Tab key to complete file and directory names. For instance, type cd Doc and press Tab to automatically complete the directory name to Documents if it exists.

  • Command History: Press the up and down arrow keys to scroll through previously typed commands, which can save you time.

  • Avoid Typos: Linux is case-sensitive, meaning Documents and documents are treated as different directories. Always double-check your case and spelling when using commands.

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