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Quick Tip: Learn the Linux versions of common DOS/Windows commands

by John Sheesley | Jan 13, 2004 8:00:00 AM

Tags: Operating systems, UNIX, OPEN SOURCE, Desktops, John Sheesley, Linux, DOS, Microsoft Windows

Takeaway: You probably know the DOS command line inside out. If you're not as familiar with the Linux command line, this article can quickly show you new ways of using old commands.

Most experienced support techs can drop to a command prompt and execute commands and utilities with confidence. However, if you're starting to support Linux desktops on your network, you may quickly find yourself lost when you open a Linux terminal session. Figure A is a list of common DOS/Windows commands that you probably use on a daily basis and their Linux counterparts:
Figure A

What you want to do	How you did it in DOS	How you do it in Linux
Copy a file	copy path1\filename1 path2\filename2	cp path1/filename1 path2/filename2
Copy subdirectory	xcopy path1\. path2 /s	cp -R path1 path2
Delete a file	del filename	rm filename
Move a file	move path1\filename1 path2	mv path1/filename1 path2
Rename a file	ren filename1 filename2	mv filename1 filename2
List a directory	dir	ls
Change directory	cd \path	cd /path
Make directory	md path	md path
Delete a subdirectory	deltree \path1	rm -R path
List text file contents	type filename	cat filename
Edit a file	edit filename	pico filename
Format floppy	format a:	fdformat /fd0H1440
Check for disk errors	chkdsk drive -or- scandisk drive	fsck /device
Change file attribute	attrib +- attribute filename	chmod mode filename
Clear screen	cls	clear
Display environment variables	set	env
Set environment variable	set variable=value	env variable=value
Set time	time time	date MMDDHHSS
Close command prompt	exit	exit

DOS/Windows commands vs. Linux commands

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Print/View all Posts Comments on this article

Cool Rui@... | 01/14/04

You asked for it.... John Sheesley - TechRepublic Pro

| 01/14/04

I didn't find it whatever_gong82@... | 01/15/04

s p a c e s cgrau@... | 01/15/04

Oops... John Sheesley - TechRepublic Pro

| 01/16/04

Also an excellent resource EliteGeek | 01/16/04

Second the Motion? glgruver | 01/14/04

Third the motion! mmoran@... | 01/14/04

And I looked after.... So here it is! aristogato@... | 01/14/04

One main command missing AlanGeek | 01/14/04

Good Addendum! Gast�n Nusimovich | 01/19/04

I like the article! fac | 01/14/04

Missing Commands Timothy J. Bruce | 01/14/04

Useful list, lousy format hparks | 01/14/04

another missed command - sorta Cactus Pete | 01/14/04

Good Stuff techpro6@... | 01/15/04

Very helpful gmulak@... | 01/16/04

Here's another resource jrandom42 | 01/17/04

Great resource claydavidson@... | 01/19/04

one little error in the article and more tips dan.castelhano@... | 01/18/04

Finally! johnstone_jh@... | 01/19/04

Furhter attributes using chattr / lsattr PenguinVitamins | 01/20/04

Any room for mistakes yet? GetReal-mac.com | 04/14/05

Don't need a GUI? CMB from Omaha | 04/14/05

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