# Introduction to Basic Linux Commands 

Linux, a powerful and versatile operating system, is widely used in the field of astronomy and other scientific disciplines. Therefore, understanding basic Linux commands is essential for efficiently working with data, running simulations, and managing your computer environment. In this article, we'll introduce you to some fundamental Linux commands that will help you navigate the Linux environment and perform essential tasks.

## Getting Started

Before diving into the specific commands, it's crucial to know how to access a terminal on a Linux system. You can typically open a terminal window by searching for "Terminal" or "Command Line" in your application launcher.

If you are connected to a remote server, you can use a terminal emulator such as "ssh" command on Mac or Linux or "PuTTY" software on Windows to access the server.

Once you have your terminal open, you're ready to start using Linux commands.

## Basic Navigation

### `cd` - Change Directory

The `cd` command is used to navigate between directories (folders). You can change your working directory by specifying the directory path you want to move to. For example:

```shell
cd /path/to/directory
```

### `ls` - List Files

The `ls` command is used to list the files and directories in the current directory. By default, it will display the contents of your current directory. You can also specify a different directory as an argument to see its contents.

```shell
ls
ls /path/to/directory
```

### `pwd` - Print Working Directory

To find out your current working directory, use the `pwd` command. This command will display the full path to your current location in the file system.

```shell
pwd
```

## File and Directory Management

### `mkdir` - Make Directory

You can create a new directory with the `mkdir` command. Just specify the name of the directory you want to create.

```shell
mkdir new_directory
```

### `rm` - Remove

The `rm` command is used to delete files and directories. Be cautious when using this command, as it permanently deletes files without moving them to the trash.

To delete a file:

```shell
rm filename
```

To delete a directory and its contents:

```shell
rm -r directory_name
```

### `cp` - Copy

The `cp` command allows you to copy files and directories. To copy a file:

```shell
cp source_file destination
```

To copy a directory and its contents:

```shell
cp -r source_directory destination
```

### `ln` - Create Symbolic Links

Symbolic links, or symlinks, are references to files or directories. The `ln` command is used to create them. Symlinks are handy when you want to reference a file or directory from multiple locations without duplicating the data.

```shell
ln -s source_file symlink_name
```

### `mv` - Move or Rename

The `mv` command is used to move files and directories from one location to another or to rename them. To move a file:

```shell
mv source_file destination
```

To rename a file:

```shell
mv old_name new_name
```

## Additional Helpful Commands

While the commands mentioned above are essential for basic file and directory management, there are many other Linux commands that can be useful in astronomy and scientific computing. Some of these commands include:

- `cat` - Display file content
- `grep` - Search for patterns in files
- `find` - Search for files and directories
- `tar` - Archive and compress files
- `ssh` - Securely access remote servers
- `top` - Monitor system resources and processes

## Further Reading

- [Introduction to the command line article from F&M ITS](https://fandm-college.github.io/rcs.github.io/linux/01_commandline.html)