CSC 212: Programming with Data Structures

Spring 2016

Quick start guide to common Unix commands, with examples. What you type is in red, comments and output are in blue.

  • cd : change directory 
     cd public_html/    // move down a level into the public_html directory 
 cd ..              // move up a level back into the enclosing directory 
 cd                 // move to your home directory

  • mv : move a folder/file, or rename a folder/file 
    // move java file into lab0 directory 
mv HelloWorld.java lab0/ 

// keep java file where it is, but rename it  
mv helloworld.java HelloWorld.java

  • ls : list the folders/files within a directory 
    ls 
hw1/ lab0/ lab1/  // directories within public_html, for example

  • less/q : view the first part of a file, "q" to quit 
    less HelloWorld.java   // this should bring up your code 
 q // quit viewing the code
  • [TAB] key :

    Very useful! The tab key helps auto-complete folder and file names as you're typing them. For example, if you wanted to access HelloWorld.java, you could start by typing "H", then hit tab to complete the word.

  • Up/Down arrow keys :

    Also very time-saving, if you want to access or modify a command you've typed before, you can use the arrow keys to scroll through the commands you've already used.