Table of Contents

File System

A file system is essentially a method and data structure that the operating system uses to control how data is stored and retrieved on a disk. It organizes data into files and directories, making it easier for you to manage and access your files.

Understanding Your Location: pwd

Listing Directory Contents: ls

Changing Directories: cd

Revealing Hidden Files and Directories: ls -a

Understanding Path Types

• Absolute Paths: Start from the root directory (/) and provide a complete path to a directory or file.
• Relative Paths: Based on the current directory, using shortcuts like . (current directory) and .. (parent directory).

Navigating with Shortcuts

• . and .. Directories: Use cd . to stay in the current directory or cd .. to move up to the parent directory.
• Tab Completion: Use the Tab key to auto-complete directory and file names, speeding up navigation and reducing errors.

Extensions, FileTypes & Wildcards

In Linux, unlike operating systems like Windows, file extensions do not dictate the type of file or how it should be processed. Instead, Linux examines the contents of a file, particularly its header, to determine its type.

File Types and Headers

• File Types: In Linux, the type of a file is identified by reading its header rather than relying on the file extension.