Terminals, Shells, and Commands
Master the command line interface and learn why developers prefer typing commands over clicking buttons.
9 lessons
What Is a Shell?
A shell is a program that interprets your text commands and communicates them to the operating system.
Why Do Command Lines Exist?
Command lines predate graphical interfaces and remain essential for automation, remote work, and precise control.
Common Shell Flavors
Different shells like bash, zsh, and PowerShell share core concepts but vary in syntax and features.
What Is a Terminal?
A terminal is the window or program that hosts your shell, providing the visual interface for text-based interaction.
How Folder Navigation Works
Terminal navigation uses paths to move through directories, making location explicit rather than visual.
Commands as Verbs
Commands follow a verb-like structure: an action, optional modifiers, and targets to act upon.
Basic Navigation Concepts
Special symbols like . and .. let you reference directories relative to your current location.
Why Servers Often Require Terminal Access
Servers typically run without graphical interfaces, making command-line access essential for management.
When to Use CLI vs GUI
Command lines excel at automation and precision; graphical interfaces shine for exploration and visualization.
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