Unix is case sensitive.  This means you must be careful about using upper
and lower case characters.  Usually commands are given in lower case.
You have to press the Enter key after typing each command.  

Some Useful Unix commands:
 
ls                      //list contents of directories
 
examples:
ls -a                   //show all files in the current directory
ls -l   filename        //show protections for a file
ls -ld 	directoryname	//show protections for a directory
ls -s   filename        //show file size in kilobytes
 
cd                      //change directory
 
examples:
cd public_html		   //move into the public_html subdirectory
cd  ~/.                //return to user's home directory
 
cd ..                  //move to the directory immediately above this one

chmod			       //set file/directory permissions
			           // Click here for more on chmod
examples:
chmod a+r filename.html	//everyone can now read this file
chmod a+x directoryname //everyone can now open (execute) this directory
chmod o-r filename.html //others can not read this file (but you can)

cp                      //copy files
 
examples:
cp  file1  file2        //make a copy of file1 called file2

mv			            //rename a file or move it into a directory

examples 
mv file1 file2		   //renames file1 to  file2
mv file directory	   //move a file into a subdirectory

passwd		     	   //change your password
 
pwd			           //print working directory (an easy way to 
			           //figure out what directory you are in.)

rm                      //removes (deletes) files
 
example:
rm filename             //delete the specified file
 
rmdir                   //removes (deletes) directories
 
example:
rmdir dirname 

quota                   //helps you to check your disk usage
                        //if you are over quota-delete that old mail!

Note:  You might want to create an "alias" so that you can quickly
move to your public_html directory.  To do this:

pico .login
(scroll to the last line of the file)
(and add the line below:)
alias 108 cd ~/./public_html/

This will take effect the next time you login.  You can just type 108 to
move to your public_html directory.

Your .login file contains important set up information.  Do NOT change
this file if you are unsure about what you are doing.  (And don't let
your friends mess with it.)  If this file is corrupted, you may not
be able to do your assignments until you get it fixed.

Click here to return to the IT 108 page