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Terminal, files and paths

The terminal is not a screen reserved for experts. This is another way of ask the operating system to open a folder, launch a program or inspect a file.

The essential mental model​

A command is always executed from a current folder. Two orders identical can therefore produce a different result if they are launched from two different folders.

mon-projet/
├── package.json
├── src/
│   └── index.js
└── public/
    └── logo.png
  • an absolute path starts from the root of the system;
  • a relative path starts from the current folder;
  • . designates the current folder;
  • .. designates the parent folder.

Cue commands​

pwd              # afficher le dossier courant
ls               # voir son contenu
cd src           # entrer dans le dossier src
cd ..            # revenir au dossier parent
mkdir exercices  # créer un dossier

Before running a command copied from a tutorial, always check the current folder and understand the files it will modify.

Caution

A delete command or a command executed with elevated rights can have effects that are difficult to reverse. Never issue an order unless you don't know how to explain.

Quick challenge​

Create a laboratoire folder, enter it, then manually create a file notes.md. Then go back to the parent folder and explain the difference between laboratoire/notes.md and an absolute path to this same file.