Managing Files and Directories in Ubuntu Command Line

Ubuntu’s command line, also known as the terminal, is a powerful tool for managing files and directories efficiently. Whether you need to create, move, copy, or delete files, the command line offers a streamlined way to handle these tasks. In this guide, we’ll cover the essential commands and tips for managing files and directories in Ubuntu.

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1. Navigating the File System

Before managing files, you need to know how to navigate the file system:

• View the Current Directory:

  pwd

  This command prints the current working directory.

• List Files and Directories:

  ls

  • Use ls -l for detailed information.

  • Use ls -a to include hidden files.

• Change Directory:

  cd /path/to/directory

  • cd .. moves up one directory level.

  • cd ~ takes you to your home directory.

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2. Creating Files and Directories

• Create a New File:

  touch filename.txt

  This command creates an empty file.

• Create a New Directory:

  mkdir new_directory

  • Use mkdir -p parent/child to create nested directories.

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3. Copying Files and Directories

• Copy a File:

  cp source_file destination_file

• Copy a Directory:

  cp -r source_directory destination_directory

  The -r flag ensures that the entire directory and its contents are copied.

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4. Moving and Renaming Files

• Move or Rename a File:

  mv old_name.txt new_name.txt
  mv file.txt /new/path/

  This command can move a file to a new location or rename it.

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5. Deleting Files and Directories

• Delete a File:

  rm file.txt

• Delete a Directory:

  rm -r directory_name

  • Use rm -rf to forcefully delete without confirmation (be cautious with this option).

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6. Viewing File Contents

• Read a File:

  cat filename.txt

• View File with Pagination:

  less filename.txt

  Use the arrow keys to scroll through the file and press q to quit.

• Display the First or Last Lines:

  head filename.txt  # Shows the first 10 lines
  tail filename.txt  # Shows the last 10 lines

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7. Searching for Files

• Find a File by Name:

  find /path -name "filename"

• Search Inside Files:

  grep "search_term" filename.txt

  Use grep -r "term" /path to search recursively in a directory.

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8. Checking Disk Usage

• Check Available Space:

  df -h

• Check Directory Size:

  du -sh /path/to/directory

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9. Changing Permissions and Ownership

• Modify Permissions:

  chmod 755 filename

  • 755 gives read, write, and execute permissions to the owner and read and execute permissions to others.

• Change File Ownership:

  sudo chown user:group filename

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10. Compressing and Extracting Files

• Create a Tar Archive:

  tar -cvf archive.tar file_or_directory

• Extract a Tar Archive:

  tar -xvf archive.tar

• Compress with Gzip:

  tar -czvf archive.tar.gz file_or_directory

• Extract Gzip Archive:

  tar -xzvf archive.tar.gz

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11. Practical Tips for Efficiency

• Use Wildcards:

  • * matches multiple characters.

  • ? matches a single character.

  rm *.txt   # Deletes all .txt files in the directory

• Combine Commands:

  mkdir new_folder && cd new_folder

  This creates a directory and navigates into it.

• Use Aliases:

  alias ll='ls -l'

  Add aliases to your ~/.bashrc file for quick access.

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Conclusion

Mastering file and directory management in Ubuntu’s command line can make your workflow faster and more efficient. By using the commands and techniques outlined in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to handle tasks like creating, organizing, and maintaining files and directories. Practice regularly to become proficient and explore advanced options as you grow more comfortable with the terminal.