3.9 KiB
3.9 KiB
Linux File and Directory management
1. File System Hierarchy:
Linux follows a hierarchical file system structure, starting with the root directory (/). Key directories include:
- /home: User home directories
- /etc: System configuration files
- /var: Variable data (logs, temporary files)
- /usr: User binaries and program files
- /bin: Essential command binaries
- /sbin: System binaries
- /tmp: Temporary files
2. Basic Commands:
- Listing files and directories:
ls [options] [directory]
Common options:
- -l: Long format
- -a: Show hidden files
- -h: Human-readable file sizes
- Changing directories:
cd [directory]
- cd ..: Move up one directory
- cd ~: Go to home directory
- cd /: Go to root directory
- Creating directories:
mkdir [options] directory_name
Common options:
- mkdir -p: Create parent directories if they don't exist
- Removing directories:
rmdir [options] directory_name
Common options:
- rm -r directory_name: Remove non-empty directories
- Creating files:
touch file_name
- Copying files and directories:
cp [options] source destination
Common options:
- cp -r: Copy directories recursively
- Moving/renaming files and directories:
mv source destination
- Removing files:
rm [options] file_name
Common options:
- rm -f: Force removal without prompting
3. File Permissions:
Linux uses a permission system with read (r), write (w), and execute (x) permissions for owner, group, and others.
Viewing permissions:
ls -l
Changing permissions:
chmod [options] mode file
Example: chmod 755 file_name
Changing ownership:
chown [options] user:group file
4. File Manipulation:
Viewing file contents:
cat file_name #Print entire file at once
less file_name #View file in a pager format
more file_name #View file in a pager format
head file_name #View top 10 lines (default) of a file
tail file_name #View last 10 lines (default) of a file
Searching file contents:
grep [options] pattern file
Common options:
- -i: Insensitive Case Search
- -R: search recursively in parent Directory, as well as all child directories.
Comparing files:
diff file1 file2
5. Advanced File Management:
Finding files:
find [path] [expression]
Example: find /home -name "*.txt"
Disk usage:
du [options] [directory]
Common options:
- -h: Print disk usage in human-readable format
- -s: Summarize disk usage information
File compression and archiving:
tar [options] archive_name files
gzip file_name
gunzip file_name.gz
Symbolic links:
ln -s target_file link_name
6. Text Editors:
- nano: Simple and user-friendly
- vim: Advanced and powerful
- emacs: Extensible and feature-rich
7. File System Management:
Mounting file systems:
mount [options] device directory
Unmounting file systems:
umount [options] directory
Checking disk space:
df [options]
- df -h: Human-readable output
8. File System Maintenance:
Checking and repairing file systems:
fsck [options] device
Creating file systems:
mkfs [options] device
9. Access Control Lists (ACLs):
For more fine-grained permission control:
getfacl file
setfacl -m u:user:rwx file
10. Inode Information:
View detailed file information:
stat file_name