Summary

In this chapter, you were introduced to the UNIX System concepts of files and directories, and to the basic commands you can use to manage them. You learned how to create, name, and move files and directories. You learned how you can list the files in a directory, view the contents of a file, search for files, and print files.

In the next chapter, you will learn more about entering commands and customizing the UNIX System environment. Chapter 5 explains how to use text editors to create and modify files. More advanced commands for working with files are explained in Chapter 19, “Filters and Utilities.”

Table 3–2 summarizes the commands for using files and directories that were introduced in this chapter.

Table 3–2: Command Summary

Command	Use	Command	Use
ls	List the contents of a directory	locate	Search for files by name
cat	Display a short file	find	Find files
touch	Create an empty file	chmod	Change file permissions
pwd	Show the present directory	umask	Set default file permissions
cd	Change present directory	chown	Change the owner of a file or directory
mv	Move a file or directory	chgrp	Change the group of a file or directory
cp	Copy a file or directory	pg, more, less	Display a file
In	Create a link	head	Display beginning of a file
rm	Remove a file or directory	tail	Display end of a file
mkdir	Make a directory	lp/lpr	Print a file
rmdir	Remove an empty directory	lpstat/lpq	Check status of a print job
file	Get file information	cancel/lprm	Cancel a print job