File and Directory Commands

File and directory commands are used to create, copy, rename, move, modify, delete, list files and directories, insert data into files, and manage permissions.

Creating Files

• touch filename : Creates an empty file.
• touch file1 file2 : Creates multiple empty files (e.g., file1 and file2).
• touch file{1..n} : Creates a sequence of files up to n (e.g., file1, file2, …, filen).

Deleting Files

• rm filename : Deletes the specified file (asks for confirmation).
• rm -f filename : Force deletes the specified file without confirmation.
• rm -f file1 file2 : Deletes multiple files (e.g., file1 and file2).
• rm -f file{1..n} : Deletes a sequence of files (e.g., file1, file2, …, filen).
• rm -f * : Deletes all files in the current directory.
• rm -f h* : Deletes all files whose names start with “h” (replace “h” as needed).

Creating Directories

• mkdir foldername : Creates a folder.
• mkdir folder1 folder2 : Creates multiple folders (e.g., folder1 and folder2).
• mkdir folder{1..n} : Creates a sequence of folders up to n (e.g., folder1, folder2, …, foldern).

Deleting Directories

• rmdir folder : Deletes an empty folder.
• rmdir folder1 folder2 : Deletes multiple empty folders.
• rmdir * : Deletes all empty folders in the current directory.
• rmdir folder{1..n} : Deletes a sequence of empty folders.
• rm -rf foldername : Deletes a non-empty directory along with all its contents.
• rm -rf * : Force deletes all files and folders in the current directory.

Listing Files and Directories

• ls : Lists the names of files and directories in the current directory.
• ll : Provides a detailed list including permissions, owner, size, and modification date.
• ll -r : Lists files and directories in reverse order.
• ll -a : Includes hidden files (files starting with .) in the listing.
• ll -t : Lists files and directories sorted by modification time (newest first).

Navigating Directories

• cd foldername : Changes the current directory to the specified folder.
• pwd : Displays the absolute path of the current working directory.
• cd path : Moves to a specified directory using its full or relative path.
• cd - : Switches back to the previous directory.
• cd ../ : Moves one level up to the parent directory.
• cd ../../ : Moves two levels up in the directory structure.

Copying and Moving Files

• cp source destination : Copies a file or folder from the source to the destination.
• mv source destination : Moves a file or folder from the source to the destination.
• mv oldname newname : Renames a file or folder.