- cd
- cd ..
- cd /path/
- mkdir FolderName
- touch filename.txt
- Options modify the behavior of commands:
ls -alists all contents of a directory, including hidden files and directoriesls -llists all contents in long formatls -torders files and directories by the time they were last modified- Multiple options can be used together, like
ls -alt
- From the command line, you can also copy, move, and remove files and directories:
cpcopies filesmvmoves and renames filesrmremoves filesrm -r(recursive)removes directories and child items
- Wildcards are useful for selecting groups of files and directories
MacOS structure
| Directory | Description |
| /Applications | Self explanatory, this is where your Mac’s applications are kept |
| /Developer | The Developer directory appears only if you have installed Apple’s Developer Tools, and no surprise, contains developer related tools, documentation, and files. |
| /Library | Shared libraries, files necessary for the operating system to function properly, including settings, preferences, and other necessities (note: you also have a Libraries folder in your home directory, which holds files specific to that user). |
| /Network | largely self explanatory, network related devices, servers, libraries, etc |
| /System | System related files, libraries, preferences, critical for the proper function of Mac OS X |
| /Users | All user accounts on the machine and their accompanying unique files, settings, etc. Much like /home in Linux |
| /Volumes | Mounted devices and volumes, either virtual or real, such as hard disks, CD’s, DVD’s, DMG mounts, etc |
| / | Root directory, present on virtually all UNIX based file systems. Parent directory of all other files |
| /bin | Essential common binaries, holds files and programs needed to boot the operating system and run properly |
| /etc | Machine local system configuration, holds administrative, configuration, and other system files |
| /dev | Device files, all files that represent peripheral devices including keyboards, mice, trackpads, etc |
| /usr | Second major hierarchy, includes subdirectories that contain information, configuration files, and other essentials used by the operating system |
| /sbin | Essential system binaries, contains utilities for system administration |
| /tmp | Temporary files, caches, etc |
| /var | Variable data, contains files whose contents change as the operating system runs |