File Management

cp (copy files and directories)

  • Copies files and directories.
  • '-r' is used for recursive copy.
cp source_file destination_file
cp -r source_directory destination_directory

mv (move/rename files and directories)

  • moves or renames files and directories.
mv old_name new_name
mv file_name /path/to/destination

rm (remove files and directories)

  • removes files and directories.
  • '-r' is used for recursive removal and '-f' is used for force removal.
rm file_name
rm -r directory_name
rm -f file_name

touch (create empty files or update timestamps)

  • creates an empty files or updates the timestamps of an existing files
touch new_file

cat (concatenate and display file contents)

  • displays the contents of the file
cat file_name

'more' and 'less' (view file contents)

  • views file contents and pagination.
  • less allows backward movement.
more file_name
less file_name

'head' and 'tail' (view beginning and end of the file)

  • head displays the first 10 lines by default, and tail displays the last 10 lines.
  • '-f' is used to follow a file (useful for logs)
head file_name
tail file_name
tail -f file_name