From e0bc73da9fcc67997605ec8240f205d8bb80be95 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: marysia Date: Sat, 26 Jul 2014 18:38:13 +0200 Subject: [PATCH] Editorial changes to Intro to Command Line --- intro_to_command_line/README.md | 44 ++++++++++++++++++++------------- 1 file changed, 27 insertions(+), 17 deletions(-) diff --git a/intro_to_command_line/README.md b/intro_to_command_line/README.md index c6e1cd316e4..3268d5a2067 100644 --- a/intro_to_command_line/README.md +++ b/intro_to_command_line/README.md @@ -2,10 +2,11 @@ ## Introduction -Hey girls, the following steps will show you how to use the black window. This window is also called the "command line", "cmd", "prompt" and "terminal". +Hey girls, the following steps will show you how to use the black window all hackers use. It might look a bit scary at first, but really, it is just a prompt, waiting for commands from you. -Each operating system has a set of commands for the command line. -Here is a summary of some useful commands: +The window is usually called the *command line*, but you can also hear the following names: *cmd*, *prompt*, *console* or *terminal*. + +Each operating system has a slightly different set of commands for the command line. Here is a summary of some useful commands: | Command (Windows) | Command (Mac OS / Linux) | Description | Example| | ------------- |-----------|-------------| -----| @@ -16,46 +17,55 @@ Here is a summary of some useful commands: | move | mv | move file | **move c:\test\test.txt c:\windows\test.txt** | | mkdir | mkdir | create a new folder | **mkdir testfolder** | |del | rm | delete a folder/file | **del c:\test\test.txt** -For more about the above commands, check out the Further Information section below. +To learn more about the above commands, check out the Further Information section below. These are just a very few of the possible black window commands. [ss64.com](http://ss64.com) contains a complete reference of commands for all operating systems. ## Useful shortcuts -* Up arrow - rerun previous commands. You can avoid typing the same commands again by using the up arrow key to rerun recently used commands. +* **Up arrow** - rerun previous commands. You can avoid typing the same commands again by using the up arrow key to rerun recently used commands. -* Tab key - the tab key will autocomplete folder and file names. For example, typing **dir t ** + Tab will autocomplete to all directories starting with t in the current directory (such as task, test, tutorial). +* **Tab key** - the tab key will autocomplete folder and file names. For example, typing `dir t` + `Tab` will autocomplete to all directories starting with `t` in the current directory (such as task, test, tutorial). ## Further information about the commands above -* The **exit** commmand - this will cause the window to close; it makes sense, right? No need to explain too much ... +* **exit** - it closes the black window; it makes sense, right? No need to explain too much... + + +* **cd** - it allows you to change your current directory. To use it type `cd [directoryname]` and press enter. + +**For example:** let's say you are in a directory called `c:\test` with three sub-directories: `documents`, `photos`, and `music`. + c + └───test + documents + photos + music -* The **cd** command - this command allows you to change your current directory. To use the cd command you type cd directoryname and press enter. -For example if you are in a directory called c:\test, and there were three directories in that the test directory called A, B, and C, you could just type **cd A** and press enter. You would then be in the c:\test\A. +To go to the `documents` directory, simply type `cd documents` and press enter. You are now in `c:\test\A`. To move back to the `c:\test` directory, type `cd ..`. -* The **cd ..** command - this will take you to the next folder up. +* **dir** (Windows) / **ls** (others) - it lists files and directories located in your current directory. If you type `dir \test` or `ls test`, you will see the content of the `c:\test` directory. +Note that for many commands you can use the `*` symbol which stands for *all* or *wildcard*. With this in mind, try typing `dir *.txt` for Windows or `ls *.txt` for other OS. It will list only files that end with `.txt`. -* The **dir** (Windows) and **ls** (others) command - this will list the files and directories contained in your current directory. If I typed **dir \test** or **ls test** I would see the contents of the c:\test directory. -Also note for many commands you can use the \* symbol which stands for wildcard. With this in mind, typing **dir *.txt** on WIN or **ls *.txt** on other OS will only list those files that end with .txt. +* **copy** (Windows) / **cp** (others) - it allows you to copy files from one location to another. To use this command, type `copy [sourcefile] [targetfile]`. +**For example**: if you have the file `c:\test\test.txt` and you would like to copy it to `c:\windows\test.txt`, type: -* The **copy** (Windows) or **cp** (others) command - this allows you to copy files from one location to another. To use this command you would type **copy *sourcefile targetfile***. For example if you have the file c:\test\test.txt and would like to copy it to c:\windows\test.txt you would type -**copy c:\test\test.txt c:\windows\test.txt** and press enter. + copy c:\test\test.txt c:\windows\test.txt -* The **move** (Windows) or **mv** (others) command - this allows you to move files from one location to another. The syntax you use is the same as for the **copy** command. +* **move** (Windows) / **mv** (others) - it allows you to move files from one location to another. The syntax you use is the same as for the `copy` command. -* The **mkdir** command - this allows you to create a new directory. For example **mkdir temp** creates a new folder called temp in the current directory. +* **mkdir** - it allows you to create a new directory. For example, `mkdir temp` creates a new folder called `temp` in the current directory. -* The **del** (Windows) or **rm** command (others) - this allows you to delete the specified file. For example, **del test.txt** deletes the test.txt file from the current directory. +* **del** (Windows) / **rm** (others) - it allows you to delete the specified file. For example, `del test.txt` deletes the `test.txt` file from the current directory.