Bash, the Bourne Again Shell, offers a powerful set of basic commands that form the foundation of command-line operations. These commands enable users to navigate the file system, manipulate files, and manage system processes efficiently.
Navigating the file system is a crucial skill for any Bash user. Here are some essential commands:
pwd
: Print Working Directory - displays the current directoryls
: List - shows the contents of the current directorycd
: Change Directory - moves to a different directoryExample usage:
$ pwd
/home/user
$ ls
Documents Downloads Pictures
$ cd Documents
$ pwd
/home/user/Documents
Bash provides several commands for creating, copying, moving, and deleting files:
touch
: Creates a new empty filecp
: Copies files or directoriesmv
: Moves or renames files or directoriesrm
: Removes files or directoriesHere's an example of file manipulation:
$ touch newfile.txt
$ cp newfile.txt backup.txt
$ mv backup.txt old_backup.txt
$ rm newfile.txt
To view file contents, use these commands:
cat
: Displays the entire file contentless
: Allows scrolling through large fileshead
: Shows the first few lines of a filetail
: Displays the last few lines of a fileBash offers commands for system-related tasks:
date
: Displays the current date and timewhoami
: Shows the current userps
: Lists running processestop
: Displays real-time system statisticsWhen you need help with a command, use:
man
: Displays the manual page for a command--help
: Shows a brief help message for most commandsFor example: man ls
or ls --help
sudo
when necessary.Mastering these basic Bash commands is essential for efficient command-line operations. As you become more comfortable, explore advanced features like Bash Pipes and Bash Input/Output Redirection to enhance your command-line productivity.