The Basics:

Without the help of graphics, it is important to know the specific commands to navigate a Linux filesystem, especially if you ever end up in a professional setting.

The Linux filesystem is made of directories and of course, files. The root directory where all other nodes stem from is represented with a simple backslash(/). Each following directory is referenced by a backslash and its name (ex. /user). Files are simply referenced using their name and file extension. Here is an example:

/home/user/Downloads/cats.txt

This is a file path to the cats.txt text document. The above expression states that from the root directory, stems the home directory, which can access the user directory, which can access the Downloads directory. Finally, the cats.txt text document is the Downloads directory. A single typo in this statement will result in the file not being found.

*Note: remember that you can press tab to get Linux to autocomplete input for you!

Filesystem Commands:

• ls: lists all contents in the current directory. Use the option -a to reveal hidden files which start with a period (.).
• cd: short for "change directory". Use cd followed by a file path to bring you to the end of the specified path. If the directory or file you want to access is already in your current directory, just type its name, there is no need to type in the entire file path.
• pwd: short for "print working directory". Will print out your current file path.
• touch(file.txt): touch keyword creates a new file.
• rm(file.txt): rm keyword removes a file.
• mkdir(Directory): mkdir keyword creates a directory.
• rmdir(Directory): rmdir keyword removes a directory.