I would add to absolute must-know commands:

pwd - This will tell you what directory you are currently in. This is
particularly handy if, like in many un*x systems, the path in not
automatically printed at the prompt. Often times users will configure
their shells to do this, as this is something that they are used to
using the DOS / Windows command line, but it can be cumbersome as un*x
paths can get very long, as can commands with complex arguments.

which - This will tell you where the binary file that a command is
executing lives. If you are administering a machine, this information
can be vital.

ln - Creates "links" to files, similar to shortcuts in Windows.

tar -zxvf - The tar command with all the flags needed to decompress a
tar.gz file. 

ps - list running processes.

And, most importantly,

man - Manual pages.



---
David Cloutman <[log in to unmask]>
Electronic Services Librarian
Marin County Free Library 

-----Original Message-----
From: Code for Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Tim Hodson
Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2008 12:03 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Unix training options?



In terms of the absolute basics for moving round the system and seeing
what is going on, I would recommend the following commands

bash - use a bash shell which has handy command history and command
completion with the tab key
cd - change directory
ls - list the contents of a direcory
vi - to read, create and edit files.
less - view even very big files easily, and uses standard vi commands
to navigate

The easiest way to learn is through doing, playing and making
mistakes. - and being forced to learn because you HAVE to do something
is a great catalyst to knew knowledge. :)


--
Tim Hodson
www.informationtakesover.co.uk
www.timhodson.co.uk

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