Introduction to using the command line for complete beginners

Using a computer with a mouse or touchpad is convenient, but there was a time when computers were only accessible through commands typed in a terminal. Even with today’s advanced technology, the terminal is still a powerful tool that unlocks capabilities beyond what a Graphical User Interface (GUI) offers.

The terminal, or Command Line Interface (CLI), is not just for programmers. It is essential for any professional computer user. While different operating systems have their own terminals, such as Terminal for macOS, Windows Terminal for Microsoft, and various terminals for Linux, they all serve the same purpose.

There are many different terminal interfaces, called shells, including Bash, ZSH, Fish Shell, CSH, and more. The most popular shells are Bash and ZSH, although personal preferences vary. For example, Fish Shell is favored for its simplicity, default configurations, and web-based configuration options.

The terminal is also a gateway to accessing servers. By creating a Virtual Private Server (VPS) on platforms like Amazon or DigitalOcean, users can connect to these servers remotely using the secure SSH protocol. This means that even when using the terminal locally, users can connect to a server located on the other side of the world.

In the terminal, users can navigate their file system using commands like “ls” to list files and “cd” to change directories. If ever unsure about a command, users can refer to the manual by typing “man ”. While man pages provide detailed explanations, they can be overwhelming. As an alternative, the “tldr” command offers simplified examples and options for popular commands.

When typing commands in the terminal, users can move the cursor using the left and right arrow keys. Some systems even allow the use of a mouse to navigate within the command line. For example, macOS users can use the option-click combination. Additionally, pressing the up arrow key displays the previously typed command, which is useful for correcting typos without retyping the entire command.

If a command is not recognized, the shell will indicate that it is not found. To further explore the command line, there are various tutorials available. Some recommended ones include:

Feel free to dive into these resources to learn more!