X Terminal for Beginners

2010-09-29T14:09:33Z

193.181.190.2: /* X Terminal Commands Explained for Noobs */

== X Terminal Commands Explained for Noobs ==

Well this is what we have so far I used a couple links and tested commands myself, to see if they actually worked and were not dangerous just in case anyone was trying to mess with us Noobs.

The list will increase as we go along learning together, and shall be separated with headings for easy use. Please no trolling, this is for constructive purposes.

When placing up a new command that isn't already on the list, make sure to place it under the most appropriate heading and also place with it an explanation of what it does and a working example.

Make reference to http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=63034 if you have any questions and http://wiki.maemo.org/Terminal and the books provided by anthonie here http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=63052 for more commands which you can use to help yourself or others. Thank you from T&T, West Indies

=== Application Manager ===

updates local metadata detailing what apps are available in the repsitories
apt-get update

upgrades any installed apps with newer versions (the -y is optional and just avoids it prompting you as to whether or not to proceed)
apt-get upgrade -y

will remove any dowmloaded package archives. Once the package is installed the dowmloaded file is no longer needed. The App Man does this automatically but if you're using "apt-get" you'll have to do it manually
apt-get clean

same as "apt-get clean" but only removes package archives which are obsolete (no longer in repsitories). Having run "apt-get clean it's pointless to run this command
apt-get autoclean

removes any packages which are no longer needed. These are applications/libraries which were automatically installed because of dependencies but are no longer required
apt-get autoremove

installs any missing dependencies (which should fix the broken packages issue I had)
apt-get -f install

=== Exploring Files/Searching ===

ls = view inside a directory (e.g. "ls /home/user" allows you to see inside the "user" directory)

ls -a = view all files, even the hidden ones (e.g. ls -a /home/user)

ls -l = view it like a list (e.g. ls -l /home/user)

ls -la = lists hidden files and directories

[Ctrl] c = cancels any previously given command
NOTE: can also be used in DOS terminals

cd = changes directory (e.g. cd MyDocs would send you into MyDocs so if you're unzipping something the sytem will look in MyDocs for the desired folder to be unzipped)

pwd = tells you the directory you are in (pwd stands for "present working directory")

find / | grep <place name of file/folder in question here> = finds all results for filed/folders with that name

fing /home/ | grep <name of file/folder> = finds the folder/file in question in the home directory. you can easily change the guide the command if you know where the file you are looking for is. (e.g. find /home/user/MyDocs/ | grep <fild/folder name> which will find that file or folder for you in MyDocs and easy way to check if something is really where it's supposed to be if you don't have a file explorer such as Cute Explorer)

ls -laS / = shows you your biggest folders/files in the different locations (e.g. ls -laS /home/user or ls -laS /home/user/opt will show you the biggest files in "user" and "opt")

dpkg -l = shows you a list of all your programmes including those not visible in App Man

[tab] key in X Terminal autocompletes words e.g. "rm -r /home/opt/themes/sun[tab] will finish the word as "sunset". Double [tab] would give you all the files starting with "sun". "rm -r /home/opt/[tab][tab] shows you what's in that "themes" folder

Removing Files/Programmes [WARNING! BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN USING THESE COMMANDS]

rm -r = removes all files or folders in a specific location (e.g. rm -r /home/user/opt will delete all files in "opt" so DON'T RUN THIS COMMAND)

rm = removes singular file/folder from a location (e.g. rm /home/user/opt/themes/sunset/file1 would delete "file1" in the "sunset" folder

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X Terminal for Beginners