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Tutorial2: Unix / Linux File Management

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{{Admon/caution|DO NOT USE THIS VERSION OF THE LAB. This page will no longer be updated.|'''New version here:''' https://seneca-ictoer.github.io/ULI101/A-Tutorials/tutorial2 '''Andrew's students please go here:''' http://wiki.littlesvr.ca/wiki/OPS145_Lab_2}}

=UNIX / LINUX FILE MANAGEMENT CONCEPTS=

~~ ~~

===Main Objectives of this Practice Tutorial===

:* Understand the purpose of '''directories''' and '''directory pathnames'''.

:* Use common '''Unix / Linux commands''' to perform '''directory management''' tasks.

:* Use '''Text Editors''' to create and modify text files

:* Use Common Unix / Linux commands to '''manage''' and '''manipulate''' text files.

~~ ~~

===Tutorial Reference Material===

|- valign="top" style="padding-left:15px;"

|colspan="1" |'''Slides:'''<ul><li>Week 2 Lecture 1 Notes: [~~[Media~~https://wiki.cdot.senecacollege.ca/uli101/slides/ULI101-~~Week2~~2.1.pdf | PDF]] | [https://~~matrix~~wiki.cdot.senecacollege.ca/~~~chris.johnson~~uli101/~~ULI101~~slides/ULI101-~~Week2~~2.1.pptx PPTX]</li><li>Week 2 Lecture 2 Notes: [~~[Media~~https://wiki.cdot.senecacollege.ca/uli101/slides/ULI101-~~Week2~~2.2.pdf | PDF]] | [https://~~matrix~~wiki.cdot.senecacollege.ca/~~~jason.carman~~uli101/slides/ULI101-~~Week2~~2.2.pptx PPTX]</li></ul>'''Tutorials:'''<ul><li>[http://www.cheat-sheets.org/saved-copy/Nano_Cheat_Sheet.pdf Nano Reference Sheet (PDF)]</li><li>[https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/05/vi-editor-linux-terminal-cheat-sheet-pdf Vi Reference Sheet (PDF~~)]</li><li>[http://czegel.com/seneca/uli101/lectures/Lecture2.html Les Czegel's Week 2 Notes (HTML~~)]</li></ul>

To better '''organize''' files (eg. text, images, documents, spreadsheets, programs) within your Matrix account, they should be stored in '''directories'''. To further organize many files, directories may contain '''sub-directories'''.

The Unix/Linux file system is '''hierarchical''', like other operating systems such as '''Windows''', '''~~Mac OSX~~macOS''', etc.In Unix / Linux (as opposed to MS Windows), there are no drive letters (such as '''C:''', or '''D:''').~~ ~~ All files and directories appear under a single ancestor directory called the "'''root directory'''".

Learning how to issue Linux commands for '''navigating''' and '''manipulating''' directory and files within the the Linux filesystem are '''essential skills''' for Linux users and Linux system administrators (i.e. ''sysadmins'').

In the Linux (Unix) OS, the "'''root directory'''" / is the starting directory, and other "''child directories''", "'''grandchild directories'''", etc. can be created as required. The hierarchical structure resembles an "''upside-down tree''". There is actually a command called ~~'''~~<code>tree~~'''~~ </code> that displays a "'''directory tree diagram'''"!~~ ~~

=== Directory Pathnames ===

[[Image:path-name.png|thumb|right|180px|A pathname points to a file system location by '''following the directory tree hierarchy'''.]]

~~~~''A '''pathname''' is used to specify a '''route to a file''' within the file system.~~ ~~A pathname '''points''' to a file system location by '''following the directory tree hierarchy''' expressed in a string of characters in which path components, separated by a delimiting character, represent each directory. The '''delimiting character''' is most commonly the slash ("'''/'''"). Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Path_(computing)

A pathname '''points''' to a file system location by '''following the directory tree hierarchy''' expressed in a string of characters in which path components, separated by a delimiting character, represent each directory. The ~~following table displays and defines~~ '''delimiting character''' is most commonly ~~used directories~~the slash ("'''/'''~~ ~~").'' Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Path_(~~listed by directory pathname~~computing) ~~for for ALL Unix / Linux Filesystems: ~~

~~ ~~The following table displays and defines '''commonly used directories''' (listed by directory pathname) for for ALL Unix / Linux Filesystems:

[[Image:directory-structure-2.png|thumb|right|500px|'''Common directory pathnames''' for for ALL Unix / Linux Filesystems.]]<table cellpadding="5"><tr><th style="border-bottom: 1px solid black;">Directory Pathname</th><th style="border-bottom: 1px solid black;">Purpose</th></tr><tr><td>'''/'''</td><td>Root directory (ancestor to all directories)</td></tr><tr><td>'''/home'''</td><td>Used to store users’ home directories

</td></tr><tr><td>'''/home/username'''</td><td>A '''specific''' User's Home Directory</td></tr><tr><td>'''/bin'''</td><td>Common system binaries (commands) </td></tr><tr><td>'''/usr/bin'''</td><td>Common utilities (commands) for users. </td></tr><tr><td>'''/usr/sbin'''</td><td>Common utilities for system administration </td></tr><tr><td>'''/etc'''</td><td>System administration files (eg. passwd)</td></tr><tr><td>'''/var'''</td><td>Dynamic files (log and mail files)</td></tr><tr><td>'''/tmp , /var/tmp'''</td><td>Temporary files for programs</td></tr><tr><td>'''/dev'''</td><td>Device driver files (terminals, printers, etc.)

</td></tr></table~~><br~~>

When you log into your Matrix account, you are automatically directed to your '''home''' directory.~~ ~~This directory is where the user can store files, and create subdirectories to organize their files.

=INVESTIGATION 1: CREATING & MANAGING DIRECTORIES=

~~'''ATTENTION''': Effective '''May 9, 2022''' - this online~~ {{Admon/caution|This weekly tutorial ~~will be required to~~ must be completed by ~~'''~~Friday in ~~week~~ Week 3 by ~~midnight''' ~~11:59pm to obtain a grade of ~~'''~~2%~~'''~~ towards this course~~ ~~.|}}

In this investigation, you will learn how to '''create''', '''navigate''', '''list directory contents''' and '''remove''' directories in your Matrix account.

'''Directory File Naming Rules'''

* '''Avoid non-alphanumeric characters''', as they may have a special meaning to the system that will make your work more difficult when changing to directories, etc.

* '''Avoid using spaces''' for directory names (consider periods, hyphens, and underscores instead)

===Part 1: Creating Directories ===

[[Image:directory-structure-3.png|thumb|right|350px|'''Tree Diagram''' of Directory Structure to Create in your '''Home''' Directory (displayed in blue text).]]

Creating subdirectories within your home directory makes it more '''efficient''' to~~ ~~save and access files on your Linux server.

A comparison would be rooms in a '''house'''. If there were no rooms, just one large room in a 3,000 square foot house, it would be "messy" and difficult to locate items. Each '''room''' in a house is used to for a~~ ~~'''specific purpose''' to be more productive to perform a task such as a kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, etc.

You will be creating the following '''directory structure''' within your home directory~~ ~~(refer to diagram on the right side).

'''Perform the Following Steps:'''

'''~~Perform~~ NOTE:''' For several of the following commands, you will be using '''your Seneca username''' to replace the ~~Following Steps~~text:"'''your-seneca-id'''" in a pathname.

~~'''NOTE:''' For several of the following commands, you will be using '''your Seneca username''' to replace the text:"'''your-seneca-id'''" in a pathname. ~~For example, if your Seneca user ID was '''mkhan''' then you would display~~ ~~the pathname ''/home/your-seneca-id'' as: '''/home/mkhan'''~~ ~~

# '''Login''' to your matrix account (you should know how to do this from performing [https://wiki.cdot.senecacollege.ca/wiki/Tutorial_1:_Using_Your_Matrix_Server_Account#INVESTIGATION_1:_ACCESSING_YOUR_MATRIX_LINUX_ACCOUNT Tutorial 1 INVESTIGATION 1]]). # Issue a command to '''confirm''' that you are located in your home directory (you should know how to do this from performing [[https://wiki.cdot.senecacollege.ca/wiki/Tutorial_1:_Using_Your_Matrix_Server_Account#INVESTIGATION_2:~~_USING_THE_LINUX_SHELL_.2F_ONLINE_ASSIGNMENTS~~ _USING_THE_LINUX_SHELL Tutorial 1 INVESTIGATION 2]]

# Issue the following Linux command: mkdir /home/your-seneca-id/uli101xx (remember: use your Seneca username instead of "your-seneca-id") '''NOTE:''' You should always confirm that you have created a directory. This can be done by issuing the '''ls''' command. [[Image:directory-structure-4.png|thumb|right|350px|'''Creating''' and '''Confirming''' the Creation of a Directory.]]

# Issue the following Linux command: ls /home/your-seneca-id/uli101xx There are no contents that are contained in this newly-created directory; therefore, no contents appear. A useful option '''-d''' can be used to confirm that the actual directory has been created as opposed to viewing the contents of the directory.

# Issue the following Linux command: ls -ld /home/your-seneca-id/uli101xx Is the output from this command the same was the output from the previous command? If so, what does this say about how to use multiple options for Linux commands?

# Issue the following Linux command to create the '''acp100xx''' and '''xyz100xx''' directories: mkdir /home/your-seneca-id/acp100xx /home/your-seneca-id/xyz100xx '''NOTE:''' You can create multiple directories by issuing the '''mkdir''' command with multiple arguments.

# Issue the following Linux command to confirm that those directories have been created: ls -ld /home/your-seneca-id/acp100xx /home/your-seneca-id/xyz100xx '''Using a FULL pathname starting from the root directory (i.e. /) requires is a LOT of typing!. Since we are already located in our home directory, we don't have to start from the root directory . This is called a "relative" pathname.'''

# We will now create the subdirectories that are contained in the '''uli101xx''' directory. Issue the following Linux command to move to the '''uli101xx''' directory using a '''relative''' pathname: cd uli101xx

# Issue a Linux command to confirm that your current location is in the ''uli101xx'' directory. You should know how to issue this command from a previous tutorial.

# Issue a Linux command to confirm that you are now located in your home directory. Although we will teach you how to '''remove''' directories and their contents in another investigation, let's remove the created directory structure' and '''recreate''' the same directory structure using just one command using pathnames.

# Issue the following Linux command to remove all of the directories that you have created: rm -r uli101xx acp100xx xyz100xx

# Issue a Linux command to confirm that the '''uli101xx''', '''acp100xx''' and '''xyz100xx''' ~~that~~ directories have been removed.

# Issue the following single Linux command to create the entire directory structure: mkdir -p uli101xx/notes uli101xx/tutorials uli101xx/samples acp100xx xyz100xx '''NOTE:''' The '''-p''' option allows "parent" directories to be automatically created first to then create their subdirectories.

# Issue the following Linux command to confirm that all of the directories have been created: ls -ld uli101xx/ uli101xx/notes uli101xx/tutorials uli101xx/samples acp100xx xyz100xx

To check for mistakes, a '''shell script''' has been created to check your work. If the checking shell script detects an '''error''', then it will provide feedback and offer constructive feedback on how to fix that problem so you can re-run the checking shell scripts until your work is correct.

# Issue the following Linux command: tree '''NOTE:''' You should see the directory structure that you created in the previous investigation. You can also issue the '''tree''' command using a directory pathname to display the directory structure for a specific scope. You can also use the '''-R''' option for the '''ls''' command to display all directories and subdirectories for a specified directory path (referred to as a '''recursive directory listing''').

# Issue the following Linux command: ls -lR What directories do you see?

# Issue the following Linux command: ls -lR ~~uli101xxx~~uli101xx Note the differences between both of these commands (i.e. using and not using a pathname). You can copy and move entire directories (and their contents) to other directories. <table align="right"><tr valign="top"><td>[[Image:directory-structure-7.png|thumb|right|250px|Output of the '''tree''' command to confirm copy of '''uli101xx''' directory (and contents) to the '''xyz100xx''' directory.]]</td><td>[[Image:directory-structure-8.png|thumb|right|300px|Output of the '''tree''' command to confirm movement of '''acp100 directory''' directory (and contents) to the '''xyz100xx''' diredtory.]]</td></tr></table>

# Issue the following Linux command: cp -R uli101xx xyz100xx

#Issue the following Linux command to display the directory structure of your home directory to confirm you copied the uli101xx directory: tree

=INVESTIGATION 2: MANAGING TEXT FILES=

<table align="right"><tr valign="top"><td>[[Image:nano-text-editor-1.png|thumb|right|250px|The '''Nano Text Editor''' is Easy to Operate for Novice Users.]]</td><td>[[Image:vi-text-editor-1.png|thumb|right|300px|The '''vi Text Editor''', although taking longer to master, has outstanding features and allow the user to be more productive with editing text files.]]</td></tr></table>

~~ ~~

Since IT students will be working in the Unix / Linux command line environment, it is useful to learn a least two common command-line '''text editors'''.

Although '''programming students''' can use '''graphical IDE's''' to code and compile programs, they can '''create source code''' using a text editor and '''compile their source code''' in the '''Matrix''' server to generate executable programs (without having to transfer them for compilation or execution).

'''Networking and Tech Support students''' can use a text editor to '''edit configuration files'''. These students in upper grades will become familiar with the process of installing, configuring, and running network services and text editors are an important tools~~ ~~to help setup but also "tweak" or make '''periodic changes in networking services configuration'''.

The two most readily-available command line text editors in Linux are '''Nano''' and '''vi'''.~~ ~~The Nano text editor would seem like an easier-to-use text editor, but vi (although taking longer to learn)~~ ~~has outstanding features and allow the user to be more productive with editing text files.~~ ~~

===Part 1: Creating Text Files Using The Nano Text Editor===

You will now learn basic editing skills using the '''Nano''' text editor including '''creating''', '''editing''', and '''saving''' text files.

~~You will now learn basic editing skills using the '''Nano''' text editor including '''creating''', '''editing''', and '''saving''' text files.~~

~~ ~~

'''Perform the Following Steps:'''

# Issue a Linux command to check that you correctly created those directories.

# Issue the following Linux command to edit a text file called '''mytext.txt''' in the '''linux/practice''' directory: nano textedit/practice/mytext.txt '''NOTE:''' When using the '''Nano''' text editor, you are placed in '''INPUT''' mode, so you can enter text immediately. [[Image:nano-text-editor-2.png|right|400px|thumb|Enter the following text that appears in this diagram.]]

# Enter the lines shown in the other diagram of the nano text editor on the right side. '''NOTE:''' Refer to the table below for a list of~~ ~~common '''Nano''' navigation & editing commands: <table cellpadding="5"><tr><th style="border-bottom: 1px solid black;">Key(s)</th><th style="border-bottom: 1px solid black;">Purpose</th></tr><tr valign="top"><td style="font-family:courier">'''<ctrl><SPACEBAR>''', '''<esc><6>'''</td><td>Move forward/backward one word</td></tr><tr valign="top"><td style="font-family:courier">'''<ctrl><a>''', '''<ctrl><e>'''</td><td>Move to beginning/end of line</td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:courier">'''<ctrl><k>'''</td><td>Cut line</td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:courier">'''<esc>6'''</td><td>Copy Line</td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:courier">'''<ctrl>'''</td><td>Paste Cut/Copied Text</td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:courier">'''<ctrl><g>'''</td><td>Display help screen (ctrl-x to exit help screen)</td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:courier">'''<ctrl><x>'''</td><td>Save editing changes and exit</td></tr></table>

# Referring to the table above, practice navigating and editing your entered lines for practice.

# To '''save''' your editing session, press: <ctrl>x

===Part 2: Creating Text Files Using The vi Text Editor===

[[Image:vi-screen.png|right|300px|thumb|Using the '''vi''' text editor.]]

You will now learn basic editing skills using the '''vi''' ('''vim''') text editor including~~ ~~'''creating''', '''editing''', and '''saving''' text files.

The '''vi''' ('''vim''') text editor (although taking longer to learn) has outstanding features to increase coding productivity.

The major different between nano and vi is that '''vi starts in COMMAND LINE mode'''. You need to issue letter commands to enter text. Also you can press colon “: ” in COMMAND mode to enter more complex commands.

# Issue the same command that you performed in '''Step #2''' to confirm that you had properly edited that file.

# '''Save''' and '''exit''' your vi editing session. [[Image:vi-text-editor-2.png|right|250px|thumb|The online vi-tutorial provides users "hands-on" experience of using the vi text editor.]]An '''online tutorial''' has been created to give you "hands-on" experience on how to use vi text editor. It is recommended that you run this online tutorial in your Matrix account to learn how to create and edit text files with the vi text editor.

# Issue the following to run the vi online tutorial: /home/~~murray~~jason.~~saul~~carman/vi-tutorial

# In the tutorial menu, select the first menu item labelled "'''USING THE VI TEXT EDITOR'''"

#Read and follow the instructions in the tutorial. Eventually, it will display a '''simulated''' vi environment and will provide you with "'''hands-on'''" practice using the vi text editor. As far as this author is aware, there is NO "hands-on" tutorial for the nano text editor in this particular format.

===Part 3: Manage & Manipulate Text File Content===

We conclude this tutorial by learning to '''manage''', '''view''' or '''manipulate the display''' of text files.~~ ~~This is HIGHLY ADVISED in case you only want to view contents and '''NOT''' edit text file contents which can cause accidental erasure of data.

'''Perform the Following Steps:'''

# Issue the following Linux command: rm aa.txt b.txt a.txt.bk c.txt

# Issue the '''ls''' command to verify that these files have been removed.

# Complete the '''LINUX PRACTICE QUESTIONS''' to get additional practice.~~ ~~

= LINUX PRACTICE QUESTIONS =

simulate a quiz:

* https://~~ict~~wiki.cdot.senecacollege.ca/~~~murray.saul~~uli101/~~uli101~~files/uli101_week2_practice.docx

Your instructor may take-up these questions during class. It is up to the student to attend classes in order to obtain the answers to the following questions. Your instructor will NOT provide these answers in any other form (eg. e-mail, etc).

'''Review Questions:'''

For each of the following questions, use a pathname starting from the '''root''' directory (i.e. “/”).~~ ~~

[[Image:tree-diagram.png|right|350px|thumb|]]

# Write a single Linux command to create the directory structure starting from your home directory from the diagram displayed on the right.

# Write a Linux command to display a detailed listing of '''history''' directory. How would this command differ if you wanted to also view hidden files as well?~~ ~~# Write a Linux command to change to the '''project''' directory. What command would you issue to return to your home directory?~~ ~~

# Write a Linux command to copy the '''project''' directory and its contents to the '''history''' directory.

# Write a Linux command to move the directory called '''directories''' to the '''history''' directory.

# Write a Linux command to remove both directories named '''1''' and '''2'''.

# Write a Linux command to remove the '''concepts''' directory and its contents.

# Write a Linux command to remove the '''concepts''' directory and prompt the user if they want to remove this directory’s contents.~~ ~~# Write a single Linux command to create the following empty files in the concepts directory:~~ ~~#* '''myfile.txt'''~~ ~~#* '''yourfile.txt'''~~ ~~#* '''thefile.txt'''~~ ~~# Write a Linux command to view the contents of the myfile.txt text file to prove it is empty.~~ ~~What is the difference between the commands: '''cat''', '''more''' and '''less'''?

# Write a Linux command to sort the contents of a file called '''practice/customers.txt'''

# Write a Linux command to display the first 4 lines of a file called '''practice/customers.txt'''

# Create a '''table''' listing each Linux command, useful options that are displayed near the top of this tutorial labelled: '''Tutorial Reference Material'''

_________________________________________________________________________________

Author: Murray Saul

License: LGPL version 3

Link: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/lgpl.html

_________________________________________________________________________________

[[Category:ULI101]]

Andrew

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