Title: Introduction: The Joys of the Command Line
Course: CIS 121: Linux/UNIX I: Fundamentals ~ For IGNITE Review > Section: Learning Modules

Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) are wonderful, particularly for computer novices, but certainly even for experienced users. However, they can hide information about the way the system works and limit how a user can manage their computer. The command line seems clumsy to people at first, but brings a level of control and understanding that is impossible with a GUI. It requires attention to detail, but gives unparalleled rewards for the effort. Understanding how to configure your shells helps you to get the most out of the command line. There are a variety of shells and you can control numerous default settings. In addition, the bash shell has a number of useful features, which account for it being the most popular of the shells.

By the end of this module, you will:

- Learn how to run programs from the command line
- Learn about command completion and shell history
- Understand how to use absolute and relative paths
- Know the most common shells
- Understand and learn to control your command line environment
- Know how to choose and change your shell.

Required Activities:

- Readings
  - Review the pages in this module
  - Read Chapters 6 and 7, pages 99-129, in the Linux Essentials text book

Presentations and Videos

- View the following videos and use the presentations as extra resources outlining the topics covered in the video.
- Consider pausing the videos at different intervals while you practice what is taught.
- Introduction to the Command Line PDF or ODP
- The Joy and Pain of the Command Line video lecture (Time: 21:19)
- Getting Where You Need To Go video lecture (Time: 24:25)
- What To Do When You Get There video lecture (Time: 19:12)
- Searching for Shells PDF or ODP
- Searching for Shells video lecture (Time: 25:58)

- Exercise - complete the following exercises (located under the Exercises link within the left navigation area):
  - Exercise 3-1
  - Exercise 3-2
- Quizzes - complete the following quizzes (located under the Quizzes and Exams link within the left navigation area):
  - Quiz 3-1
  - Quiz 3-2

Enrichment Activities:

- Complete the File Fishing activity
- Reference Text: Read Chapter 2, and pages 15-24, in the Unix and Linux text book