[cb]: https://collectionbuilder.github.io/ "CollectionBuilder" ## Windows Command Line Basics --- ## list files/folders: - `dir` - example: typing `dir` while in the Desktop folder will show you all folder and files in Desktop --- ## Where am I?: - Windows shows you where you are in the file path automatically - Or you can do `cd %HOMEDRIVE%` --- ## use `/` or `\` to separate folders ## change directories - `cd <filepath>` - example: `cd Desktop/IA` to get to "IA" folder on Desktop - move up one directory - `cd ..` - example: If I'm in the IA folder in Desktop and want to go back up to Desktop, I used `cd ..` - Shortcut for homepath (C:\Users\username): %HOMEPATH% - example: `cd %HOMEPATH%` takes you back to C:\Users\Alex\ - example: In Desktop and want to get to William and Mary folder inside Documents - `cd %HOMEPATH%\Documents\William and Mary\` --- ## create directories - `md foldername` - example: while in Desktop `md Google_Books` creates a folder called "Google_Books" in Desktop --- ## create text file - `copy con filename.txt` - Type text directly in command prompt, hit Ctrl+Z and then Enter to save - `echo textcontent > filename.txt` - `echo Hello World! > file1.txt` --- ## delete files - `del filename` - example: `del file1.txt` --- ## copy files (to a new name, to a new directory) - `copy filepath-from filepath-to` - example: while in Desktop `copy file1.txt IA\file1.txt` - Copies file1.txt to IA folder in Desktop. There's one copy in Desktop and one in IA - example: while in Desktop `copy file1.txt IA\file2.txt` - Copies file1.txt to IA folder in Desktop and renames as file2.txt. There's one copy in Desktop and one in IA --- ## move files - `move filepath-from folder-to\` - example: while in Desktop `move file1.txt IA\` - Moves file1.txt from Desktop to IA folder --- ## %PATH%: the list of directories/folders where the OS looks for commands when you type a command - Hit Start button and search for environmental variables so that "Edit the system environmental variables" comes up - Click "environmental variables" - In the system under "System variables", select "Path" so it is highlighted, then click "Edit". A new window will pop up - Click "New" and type the filepath to where the folder for the executable command is on your computer (usually you've installed it in one of the program files folder) --- ## Commands must know the file path of images/documents they are working on. Providing complete path to files or being in the same directory as the files. Do that as part of copy or delete. - Example: To copy a file in Desktop you can... - navigate so that you are "in" the Desktop folder using `cd`. Then you only need to type the file name in the first part of copy: `copy file1.txt C:\Users\Alex\Documents\file1.txt` - Be in any folder and give the whole path to the Desktop: `copy C:\Users\Alex\Desktop\file1.txt C:\Users\Alex\Documents\file1.txt` --- ## open a file in the GUI (graphic user interface) from the command line: - Just type filename with extension (e.g., file1.txt) and hit enter --- ## Navigating inside the command prompt window - Use up arrow to display previous commands - Use left and right arrows to move cursor inside your command