Command Line

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Objectives:

Learn the basics of Windows Command Prompt
Practice navigating your computer using CMD
Relate to the concept Keep it Simple!

What is the Command Prompt?

Command Prompt (CMD) is a tool that lets you control your computer by typing instructions
No need for a mouse or the GUI!

Command Line Reference Sheet

cd [folder] | Changes to the specified directory (e.g., cd GC_Project)
cd %HOMEPATH% | Goes to your user’s home directory
mkdir [folder] | Creates a new directory (folder)
type nul > [filename] | Creates a new, empty file (e.g., type nul > notes.txt)
dir | Lists files and folders in the current directory
cls | Clears the Command Prompt screen
move [file] [destination] | Moves a file into a folder (e.g., move notes.txt backup\)
rename [old] [new] | Renames a file (e.g., rename todo.txt tasks.txt)
copy [file] [destination] | Copies a file to a folder (e.g., copy tasks.txt backup\)
del [filename] | Deletes a file (e.g., del script.txt)
dir /a:h | Lists hidden files in the directory
echo [text] > [filename] | Writes text to a file (e.g., echo Hello > file.txt)
type [filename] | Displays the contents of a file (e.g., type greeting.txt)
exit | Closes the Command Prompt window

Getting Started

Tip!

To increase the font size in the window, press the CTRL key and the + key until you reach your desired font size.

Step 1: Open the Command Prompt

Press the Windows key and the R key at the same time, type cmd, and press the Enter Key

Step 2: Go to your Home Directory

type cd %HOMEPATH%

Step 3: Make a New Folder

mkdir GC_Project
cd GC_Project

$Windows Command Prompt showing a user navigating to their home directory using `cd %HOMEPATH%`, creating a new folder named `GC_Project` with `mkdir GC_Project`, and then changing into that directory with `cd GC_Project`. The final prompt displays the path `C:\Users\bencu\GC_Project>`.$

Create and View Files

Tip!

Rather than entering each command individually, you can create all of the files in one command by separating each file name and type with a comma:

type nul > notes.txt, todo.txt, script.txt

Additionally, you can clear the interface by using the cls command!

Step 1: Create Empty Files

type nul > notes.txt
type nul > todo.txt
type nul > script.txt

Step 2: View the Files

Windows Command Prompt window showing commands used to create three empty text files — notes.txt, todo.txt, and script.txt — in the GC_Project directory using the command type nul > filename.txt

Organize Files

Tip!

You can use the cls command to clear the window, it will not undo any of your previous actions, it will simply erase the space for easier navigation.

Step 1: Create a Backup Folder

- mkdir backup

Step 2: Move One File to the Backup Folder

- move notes.txt backup\

Step 3: Rename a File

- rename todo.txt tasks.txt

$Windows Command Prompt showing the user creating a folder named backup using mkdir backup, moving the file notes.txt into the backup folder with move notes.txt backup\, and renaming the file todo.txt to tasks.txt using rename todo.txt tasks.txt$

Try it out!

Step 1: Copy a file

- copy tasks.txt backup\

Step 2: Delete a File

- del script.txt

Step 3: Return to Your Home Directory

- cd %HOMEPATH%

Bonus Challenges!

Challenge 1: List hidden files

- dir /a:h

Challenge 2: Write to a file and view it

- echo Hello World > greeting.txt
- type greeting.txt

Challenge 3: Remove all files and folders from the GC_Project directory

Note that you cannot remove a directory if it contains files or subdirectories, and you will need to make use of the flags /s and /q.
- A flag modifies the behavior of a command.
- /s | deletes all files and subdirectories
- /q | quiet mode, no prompt for confirmation

Caution: These commands are irreversible. Double-check the directory path before executing.

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