A SHORT UNIX GUIDE
About unix
Unix is a multi-user operating system designed in the 1970's. It is also the
operating system most commonly used by computers that are connected to the internet.
If you know the basics however, unix is not particularly difficult to navigate.
Like DOS, unix uses a command line interface. This means that you are presented
with command prompts that wait for you to type things in. The most important
thing to remember is that unix files and commands are case sensitive: pine
‚ Pine ‚ PINE.
Directories:
Unlike DOS, unix uses / (forward slash) to separate directories. This
can get confusing to DOS users who are used to typing cd\. Unix requires
a space after each command, you cannot type cd/usr/bin, you must type cd /usr/bin.
Type cd to change to your home directory.
Copying files:
Unix requires that you specify both your source and destination directories
when you copy files: ('.' represents the current directory)
cp /usr/bin/lynx . - copies linx from /usr/bin to the current directory.
(note the '.')
cp /usr/bin/lynx $home - copies lynx from /usr/bin to your home directory
Common Unix Commands:
cd - change your current directory
cp - copy a file
logout - exit the login shell (same as ctrl-d)
ls - list files (use ls -l for a longer listing)
man - get help on a command or program
mkdir - create a directory
mv - move a file
pwd - display your current directory
rlogin - connect to a remote computer
rm - delete a file (rm -r deletes directories that contain files)
rmdir - delete a directory, which must be empty
set, setenv - show or set environment variables (ex. set term=vt200)
w - display a list of users who are currently logged in (similar to who)