Moving around the file system (cd)

To move from one folder to another in the Linux file system, use the command:

cd [path]

This command stands for Change Directory. The path of the folder you want to enter can be specified in two ways: using an absolute path or a relative path.

Absolute vs Relative Paths

1. Absolute Path: Always starts from the root / and describes the entire path to the destination.

   • Example: cd /home/user/documents
   • No matter which folder you are currently in, an absolute path will always direct you to the same place.

2. Relative Path: Starts from your current directory.

   • Example: If you are already in /home/user, to enter /home/user/documents you only need to type cd documents (without a forward slash / at the beginning).

Special Shortcuts

Linux provides several useful shortcuts to navigate quickly:

• . (single dot): Represents the current directory.
• .. (double dot): Represents the parent directory (one level up in the directory tree).
  • Example: If you are in /home/user/documents, typing cd .. will take you up to /home/user.
• ~ (tilde): Represents your home directory (/home/user). Typing cd ~ (or simply cd with no arguments) will instantly return you home.

Navigation Examples and Common Errors

If you try to access a directory that does not exist, the terminal will show you an error like this:

cd nonexistent_folder
# Output:
# cd: nonexistent_folder: No such file or directory

You can chain navigation or use pwd to verify the effect of changing folders:

cd documents
pwd
# Output:
# /home/user/documents

Try it yourself

Exercise 1: Enter a folder

Exercise 2: Go up one level

Exercise 3: Return Home