Difference between revisions of "Basic linux commands everyone should know!"

From CUC3
Jump to navigation Jump to search
import>Csw34
import>Csw34
Line 21: Line 21:
 
cd /sharedscratch/user
 
cd /sharedscratch/user
 
This takes you to your ''sharedscratch'' directory (only on clusters)
 
This takes you to your ''sharedscratch'' directory (only on clusters)
  +
  +
* ''cp''
  +
cp file1 file2 newdir/
  +
Copies ''file1'' and ''file2'' to the directory ''newdir''
  +
cp -r newdir /home/csw34
  +
Recursively copies the directory ''newdir'' and all its subdirectories to ''csw34'''s home directory.
  +
  +
'''WARNING''': you can overwrite files using ''cp'' i.e. if in the first example ''file2'' already exists, you will replace its contents with those of ''file1''!
  +
  +
* ''mv''
  +
mv oldfilename newfilename
  +
This effectively renames the file 'oldfilename'' to ''newfilename''
  +
mv test ../
  +
This moves the file ''test'' one level up the directory tree.
  +
  +
'''WARNING''': you can overwrite files using ''mv'' just like when you use ''cp'' so be careful!
   
 
* ''mkdir''
 
* ''mkdir''

Revision as of 18:06, 30 April 2008

Here are a few simple linux commands that should make life a bit easier for you. Please everyone, add anything you think would be useful!

You may want to read the computer office's introduction to Unix booklet .

A really useful guide to bash scripting.

  • cd

The 'change directory' command

cd
cd ~ 
cd /home/user

These all take you to your home directory

cd ../..

This takes you up two levels of the directory tree

cd newdir

This takes you into the directory called newdir

cd ~/Documents

This takes you into you Documents folder (actually located at /home/user/Documents)

cd ~csw34

This takes you into the home directory of user csw34

cd /sharedscratch/user

This takes you to your sharedscratch directory (only on clusters)

  • cp
cp file1 file2 newdir/

Copies file1 and file2 to the directory newdir

cp -r newdir /home/csw34

Recursively copies the directory newdir and all its subdirectories to csw34's home directory.

WARNING: you can overwrite files using cp i.e. if in the first example file2 already exists, you will replace its contents with those of file1!

  • mv
mv oldfilename newfilename

This effectively renames the file 'oldfilename to newfilename

mv test ../

This moves the file test one level up the directory tree.

WARNING: you can overwrite files using mv just like when you use cp so be careful!

  • mkdir
mkdir newdir newdir2

This will create two new directories, newdir and newdir2

mkdir -p newdir/newdir2

This will create newdir and newdir/newdir2, even if the former doesn't exist.

  • xxdiff
xxdiff file1 file2

Much clearer than regular diff (graphical output).

  • svn

The subversion version control program. Detailed info is available on the SVN Page

  • find

Can do so much, in a somewhat idiosyncratic manner! See this guide.