Summary

In this chapter, we looked at some of the basic commands that you can use at the command-line interface. Navigational commands can help you get around the Linux directory structure. Other commands can help you create, copy, move, delete, and link files and directories.

You can manage files by classifying their file types. You can also read the text in each file in a number of different ways. Linux lets you manipulate text files by counting lines, words, and characters ; searching for specific files on your system; and searching for text within specific files. Command combinations help you focus on the information that you need.

Perhaps the most important Linux text editor is vi . While it is not the most popular text editor, it may be all you have available if you ever have to rescue your Linux system. The vi editor includes three modes: command, insert, and execute. Other major Linux editors include emacs , pico , and joe .

Now that you know some basic shell and vi editing commands, you re ready for Chapter 07 , where you ll learn about the structure of Linux directories and the setup of some key configuration files. The next chapter also will help you learn how to manage, format, label, and troubleshoot different hard disk partitions. With Logical Volume Management, you can even expand and contract virtual partitions to meet your needs.