How do I use the “cd” command?

Question

I am using Precise pangolin. So far as I know, commands like cd.. or cd- are used to browse through folders in the terminal. But whenever I enter one of this command, it gives an error saying no such command or filename found. Do I have to perform any additional task before I use the commands involving cd?

Answer 1

Common Commands

View Directories: - ls

The ls (LiSt) lists files in different colors with full formatted text

Create Directories: - mkdir (directory name)

The mkdir (MaKeDIRectory) command will create a directory.

Change Directories: - cd (/directory/location)

The cd (ChangeDirectory) command will change from your current directory to any directory you specify.

Copy Files/Directories: - cp (file or directory name) (to directory or filename)

The cp (CoPy) command will copy any files you specify. The cp -r command will copy any directories you specify.

Remove Files/Directories: - rm (file or directory name)

The rm (ReMove) command will delete any filename you specify. The rm -rf command will remove any directory you specify.

Rename Files/Directories: - mv (file or directory name)

The mv (MoVe) command will rename/move any file or directory you specify.

Find Files/Directories: - locate (file or directory name)

just for extra information

source from http://linux.about.com/od/ubuntu_doc/a/ubudg24t7.htm

Answer 2

To browse directories you use cd dirname. So if you're in your Home and you want to go to Downloads you type cd Downloads ,if you want to go to a folder inside it you do the same again cd subFolder. If you want to go to a specific folder you type cd Downloads/subfolder/folder2/.

If you're in another folder that isn't inside your Home folder structure but want to go to a folder inside of it (Home) you add this character ~ so it's something like this:

user@user-desktop:etc/$ cd ~/Downloads/subFolder/folder2/

user@user-desktop:~/Downloads/subFolder/folder2/$

That will take you directly to a folder inside your Home structure because of the ~.

To return to your Home you just type cd. To go up 1 directory you type cd ..