Ch 4: Working With Files and Directories

Creating Files and Directories in Linux

Start your Linux file management journey by creating files and directories.

Creating Files with simple Commands

• touch: Creates an empty file or updates its timestamp.
  $ touch example.txt
  Output: Creates example.txt (empty file).
• Text Editor (nano): Creates and edits files.
  $ nano example.txt
  Output: Opens nano; save with Ctrl+O, exit with Ctrl+X.

Creating Directories

• mkdir: Creates a directory.
  $ mkdir my_folder
  Output: Creates my_folder.
• Nested Directories: Use -p for parent directories.
  $ mkdir -p parent/child/grandchild
  Output: Creates the full directory structure.

Copying Files and Directories in Linux

The cp command is key for copying in Linux file management.

Copying Files

• Basic Copy:
  $ cp example.txt example_copy.txt
  Output: Creates example_copy.txt.

Copying Directories

• Recursive Copy: Use -r for directories.
  $ cp -r my_folder my_folder_backup
  Output: Creates my_folder_backup with all contents.

Moving and Renaming Files and Directories

The mv command handles moving and renaming in file manipulation commands.

Moving Files

• Move:
  $ mv example.txt /home/user/Documents/
  Output: Moves example.txt to Documents.

Renaming Files and Directories

• Rename File:
  $ mv old_name.txt new_name.txt
  Output: Renames to new_name.txt.
• Rename Directory:
  $ mv old_folder new_folder
  Output: Renames to new_folder.

Deleting Files and Directories

The rm command deletes files and directories, a critical part of Linux file management.

Deleting Files

• Basic Delete:
  $ rm example.txt
  Output: Deletes example.txt.
• Force Delete:
  $ rm -f example.txt
  Output: Deletes without prompting.

Deleting Directories

• Recursive Delete:
  $ rm -r my_folder
  Output: Deletes my_folder and contents.
• Force Recursive Delete:
  $ rm -rf my_folder
  Output: Deletes without prompting. Warning: Use cautiously; no recovery!

Using Wildcards for File Manipulation

Wildcards simplify operations on multiple files, enhancing file manipulation commands.

• * (Asterisk): Matches any characters.
  $ cp *.txt /home/user/Documents/
  Output: Copies all .txt files to Documents.
• ? (Question Mark): Matches one character.
  $ rm file?.txt
  Output: Deletes file1.txt, file2.txt, etc.
• [] (Brackets): Matches one of listed characters.
  $ rm file[123].txt
  Output: Deletes file1.txt, file2.txt, file3.txt.

Modern Terminal File Tools

Modern tools, building on Chapter 3’s ranger and nnn, enhance Linux file management. Install on Debian 12:

Note: mmv may not be in stock Debian 12 repositories. Enable contrib or non-free repositories or install from source. See the Debian package page. WE have also covered this aspect in Chapter 2.

Example commands and outputs:

• ranger (visual file manager, see Chapter 3):
  $ ranger
  Output: Launches a visual interface with file previews.
• nnn (lightweight file manager, see Chapter 3):
  $ nnn
  Output: Opens a fast, text-based file navigator.
• rename:
  $ rename 's/old/new/' *.txt
  Output: Renames old1.txt to new1.txt, etc.
• mmv:
  $ mmv "*.txt" "#1.old"
  Output: Renames file.txt to file.old.
• rsync:
  $ rsync -av /source/ /destination/
  Output: sending incremental file list source/file.txt

Checksum tools verify file integrity:

$ md5sum file.txt
$ sha256sum file.txt  

Output: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e file.txt (md5sum)

Note: Compared to cp (basic file copying, see Chapter 3), rsync offers incremental backups and remote synchronization, ideal for efficient file management.

Glossary of Commands and Tools

Reference: For detailed command documentation, visit Linux Manpages. For package installation, search on Debian APT.