Madhurig: Madhurig moved page Linux-Ubuntu/C2/Working-with-Regular-Files/English to Linux-New/C2/Working-with-Regular-Files/English

2026-03-24T11:07:46Z

Madhurig moved page Linux-Ubuntu/C2/Working-with-Regular-Files/English to Linux-New/C2/Working-with-Regular-Files/English

Madhurig at 10:05, 11 March 2026

2026-03-11T10:05:30Z

Madhurig at 10:03, 11 March 2026

2026-03-11T10:03:11Z

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Madhurig at 12:53, 23 January 2026

2026-01-23T12:53:33Z

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Ketkinaina: Created page with "'''Title of the script: Working with Regular Files in Linux. '''Authors:''' '''EduPyramids''' '''Keywords:''' Linux, regular files, cp command, mv command, rm command, cmp c..."

2026-01-23T07:22:40Z

Created page with "'''Title of the script: Working with Regular Files in Linux. '''Authors:''' '''EduPyramids''' '''Keywords:''' Linux, regular files, cp command, mv command, rm command, cmp c..."

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'''Title of the script: Working with Regular Files in Linux.

'''Authors:''' '''EduPyramids'''

'''Keywords:''' Linux, regular files, cp command, mv command, rm command, cmp command, wc command, EduPyramids, video tutorial.

{|border=1
|-
|| '''Visual Cue'''
|| '''Narration'''
|-
|| '''Slide 1'''

'''Title Slide'''

|| Welcome to this Spoken tutorial on '''Working with Regular Files '''in''' Linux.'''
|-
|| '''Slide 2 '''

'''Learning Objectives'''
* Copy, move, and delete regular files in '''Linux'''
* Use file-handling commands such as '''cp''', '''mv''', and '''rm'''
* Compare files and count lines, words, and characters using '''cmp''' and '''wc'''
* Use important command options to manage files safely.
|| In this tutorial, we will learn how to:
* Copy, move, and delete regular files in '''Linux'''
* Use file-handling commands such as '''c p''', '''m v''', and '''r m'''
* Compare files and count lines, words, and characters using '''c m p''' and '''w c'''
* Use important command options to manage files safely.
|-
|| '''Slide 3'''

'''System Requirements'''
|| To record this tutorial, I am using

'''Ubuntu OS '''version 24 point 04.
|-
|| '''Slide 4'''

'''Pre-requisites'''

[https://edupyramids.org/ https://EduPyramids.org]
|| To follow this tutorial,

Learners should have '''Ubuntu '''version''' 24 point 04'''.

For the prerequisite of '''Linux''' tutorials please visit this website.
|-
|| '''Slide 5'''

'''Code files'''

The following code file is required to practice this tutorial
# '''wrf-commands.txt'''

This file is provided in the Code Files link of this tutorial page.
|| The following code file is required to practice this tutorial.

This file is provided in the '''Code Files''' link of this tutorial page.
|-
||
|| Let’s get started with the '''c p''' command.

Let’s see what a '''c p''' command does?
|-
|| '''Slide 6'''

'''cp command'''

* The '''cp''' command is used to copy files and directories in Linux.
* It creates a duplicate of a file or directory at a specified location.
* It does not change or delete the original file
* '''cp SOURCE DESTINATION'''

copies a file to another location
* '''cp SOURCE DIRECTORY'''

copies one or more files into a directory
|| * The '''c p''' command is used to copy files and directories in '''Linux'''.
* It creates a duplicate of a file or directory at a specified location.
* It does not change or delete the original file
* The command '''c p SOURCE DESTINATION''', copies a file to another location and
* The''' c p SOURCE DIRECTORY, '''copies one or more files into a directory.
|-
||
|| Let’s see how to copy a file using the '''c p''' command.
|-
|| Press '''Ctrl+Alt+T '''keys''' together.'''Type: '''mkdir testdir '''press '''Enter'''

Point to''' testdir''' '''directory.'''

Type: '''cd testdir'''Highlight the changed directory

Type: '''pwd '''press '''Enter'''

Highlight the '''/home/spoken/testdir'''
|| Let us open the terminal.

Let us make a directory named '''test d i r''' in the home folder.

Type '''m k d i r test d i r '''press '''Enter'''.

The directory '''test d i r''' is created in the home directory.

Let us change the directory from '''home''' to '''test d i r'''.

Type '''c d space test d i r''' and press '''Enter'''.

We can see that the directory has changed to '''test d i r'''.

Now type '''p w d''' and press '''Enter'''.

My current working directory is '''slash home slash spoken slash test d i r'''.
|-
|| Type '''cat >test1'''

Type:''' I am using Linux. '''and press '''Enter.Press Ctrl + D keys together'''

Type''' cat test1'''

Type''' cp test1 test2 '''and press''' Enter'''.

Point to the files test1 and test2
|| Let’s create a file by typing''' cat space''' '''greater than test1'''.

After pressing '''Enter''', the command waits for input from the user.

Now I will type, '''I am using Linux. '''and press '''Enter'''.

Press''' Ctrl''' and''' D '''keys to come out of input mode.

Let’s type '''cat space test1''' to see the content of the file '''test1'''.

Now type '''c p space''' '''test1 space''' '''test2 '''and''' '''press''' Enter'''.

This copies the content of '''test1''' into a new file '''test2''' in the same directory.

If the file '''test2''' does not exist, it will be created.

If it exists, its content is overwritten.
|-
|| Type '''cat test2 '''and press''' Enter.'''
|| To check type '''cat space test2''' and press''' Enter'''.

The original file '''test1 '''remains unchanged.

'''test1''' is the '''source file''' and '''test2''' is the '''destination file'''.
|-
|| Type '''cp /home/spoken/testdir/test1 /home/spoken/test2 '''and press '''Enter'''.

Show in side by side manner

Type''' ls /home/spoken''' and press''' Enter.'''
|| We can also copy files between directories.

Type''' c p space slash home slash spoken slash test d i r slash test1 space slash home slash spoken slash test2 '''and press''' Enter'''.

This will copy the file '''test1 '''from '''test d i r directory '''to''' home directory '''as '''test2'''.

Type '''l s''' space '''slash home slash spoken '''and press''' Enter'''.

The output lists the contents of the directory.

We can see that file '''test2''' is in the home directory.
|-
|| Type '''cp /home/spoken/testdir/test1 /home/spoken/''' and press''' Enter'''
|| To keep the same file name, we need not specify its name at the destination.

Let’s type''' c p space slash home slash spoken slash test d i r slash test1 space slash home slash spoken '''and press '''Enter'''.

This will copy the file '''test1''' from '''slash home slash spoken slash test dir slash''' to the home directory.

The destination file will also be named as '''test1'''.
|-
|| Type '''cp test1 test3 '''press''' Enter'''

Type '''cp test1 test4 '''press''' Enter'''

Type '''ls '''press '''Enter'''

Highlight '''test1, test2, test3''' and '''test4'''

Type: '''cp test3 test4 /home/spoken '''and press''' Enter.'''

Point to''' test3''' and '''test4 '''in the''' home directory.'''
|| While copying multiple files, we need not specify the destination file name.

First, let us create more files by copying from the existing file.

Type '''c p space test1 space test3 '''and press '''Enter'''.

Again type '''c p space test1 space test4 '''and press''' Enter'''.

To list the files type''' l s '''and press''' Enter'''.

Output shows that '''test1''', '''test2''',''' test3''' and '''test4''' are in the current directory.

Now let us copy multiple files to the parent directory.

Type '''c p space test3 space test4 space slash home slash spoken'''.

Now''' test3''' and '''test4''' are also copied to the home directory.

Notice that all files are copied to the home directory with the same names.
|-
|| Type '''cd .. '''and press '''Enter.'''

Highlight the home directoryType '''cp testdir/ test '''and''' '''press''' Enter'''.

Highlight '''cp: -r not specified; omitting directory 'testdir/''''

'''Type cp -R testdir/ test '''and press''' Enter.'''

Point to '''test''' folder

Type '''ls '''and''' '''press''' Enter.'''

Type''' ls test '''and''' '''press''' Enter.'''
|| Let’s type '''c d space dot dot '''and press''' Enter''' to move to the parent directory.

Let’s type''' c p space test d i r0 slash space test '''and''' '''press''' Enter'''.

Here we get an error;

'''hyphen r not specified; omitting directory test dir slash.'''

Normally, the '''c p''' command cannot copy directories with files.

Using the '''hyphen R''' option with '''c p '''allows us to copy them.

Type '''c p space hyphen R space test dir slash space test''' and press '''Enter'''.

Observe that it copied the entire''' testdir directory '''recursively.

All files and subdirectories were copied into a new directory named''' test.'''

Type '''l s''' and press '''Enter'''.

We can see a directory named''' test'''.

Now type '''l s''' '''space''' '''test''' and press '''Enter'''.

The output lists the files present in the '''test''' directory.

If '''test''' does not exist, it is created as a copy of '''test dir'''.If the '''test''' exists, '''test dir''' is copied inside it as a subdirectory.
|-
|| '''Slide 7'''

'''mv command'''
* The '''mv''' command moves files and directories.
* It is used to rename files or directory or move them to another directory.
* Unlike the cp command, mv does not create a copy of the file.
|| The '''m v''' command moves files and directories.

It is used to rename files or directory or move them to another directory.

Unlike the '''c p''' command, '''m v''' does not create a copy of the file.
|-
|| Type '''mv test1 test2 '''and press '''Enter'''.

Type '''cat >test1''' and press '''Enter'''.

Type the prompt: '''I am using Linux.''' and press '''Enter'''.Press '''ctrl''' and '''D''' '''keys''' together.

Type '''mv -i test2 test3 '''press''' Enter'''

Prompt asks: '''overwrite test3?'''

Type '''no '''press''' Enter'''
|| In the terminal, type '''m v space test1 space test2''' and press '''Enter'''.

This renames the file '''test1''' to '''test2'''.

If '''test2''' already exists, it is overwritten without warning.Let us again create '''test1''' file by using the '''cat''' command.

Now type '''m v space hyphen i space test2 space test3''' and press '''Enter'''.The '''hyphen i''' option asks for confirmation before overwriting the files.

Prompt asks: '''overwrite test3 question mark'''

Type '''no '''and press''' Enter'''.

This will not overwrite the '''test3''' file.
|-
|| Type '''mv test2 test3 test4 /home/spoken/testdir '''and''' '''press''' Enter'''.

Type '''ls /home/spoken/testdir '''press '''Enter'''
|| Like '''c p''',''' m v''' can move multiple files, but the destination must be a directory.

Type '''m v space test2 space test3 space test4 space slash home slash spoken slash test dir '''and press '''Enter'''.

This command moves the files '''test2''', '''test3''', and '''test4''' to the specified directory.

Press '''Enter'''.

Files are moved from the current directory to '''slash home slash spoken slash test dir '''directory.

To check, type''' l s space slash home slash spoken slash test dir '''and''' '''press''' Enter'''.

The output shows that the files have been moved.
|-
||
|| The next command is '''r m'''.
|-
|| '''Slide''' '''8'''

'''rm command'''
* The '''rm''' command in Linux is used to remove files and directories.
* It permanently deletes the specified files from the system
|| The '''r m''' command in Linux is used to remove files and directories.

It permanently deletes the specified files from the system.
|-
|| Show Terminal and Files side by side. Type''' rm testdir/test1 and '''press '''Enter.'''

Type''' rm testdir/test2 testdir/test3 '''press''' Enter'''

'''Highlight test4 file.'''
|| Type '''r m space test dir slash test1 '''and''' '''press '''Enter.'''

This removes the file '''test1''' from the '''test dir''' directory.

We can use it with multiple files also.

Type''' r m space test dir slash test2 space test dir slash test3 '''press''' Enter'''.This will remove the files '''test2''' and '''test3'''.

Only '''test4''' is available in the '''test dir''' directory.
|-
|| '''Slide 9'''

'''-f and -r option'''
* Use the '''-f '''option to force deletion.
* The '''-r '''option is commonly used to remove directories recursively.
* '''rm''' deletes files.
* '''rmdir''' deletes only empty directories.
* To delete a directory containing files and subdirectories, use both options together: '''rm''' '''-rf'''.
|| Sometimes a file is write-protected, and '''rm''' cannot delete it.

The '''hyphen f '''option forces deletion, even for write-protected items.

The '''hyphen r''' option removes directories and their contents recursively.

The '''r m''' command removes files.

The '''r m dir''' command removes empty directories only.

To delete a directory with files and subfolders, use '''r m hyphen r f '''together.
|-
|| Highlight '''testdir folder'''Type''' rm -rf testdir '''press''' EnterHighlight it is removed from files'''Type '''ls '''press '''Enter'''
|| Type''' r m space hyphen r f space test dir '''and''' '''press''' Enter'''.

This deletes '''test dir''' and all its files and subdirectories recursively.

Type: '''l s''' and press '''Enter'''.

Observe that the''' test dir''' directory is deleted.
|-
||
|| Sometimes we need to check whether two files are identical.

If they are the same, we can delete one of them.
|-
||
|| For this, we use the '''c m p''' command.

But first let’s learn what '''cmp''' command is?
|-
|| '''Slide 10'''

'''cmp commands'''
* '''cmp''' compares two files '''byte by byte'''.
* If the files are identical, it shows no output, only the prompt.
* If there are differences, '''cmp''' shows the location of the first mismatch.
||
* '''c m p''' compares two files '''byte by byte'''.
* If the files are identical, it shows no output, only the prompt.
* If there are differences, '''c m p''' shows the location of the first mismatch.
|-
|| Type''' cat >sample1 '''press''' EnterType: '''This is a Linux file.

Press''' Ctrl '''and''' D '''keys''' '''together''' Type cat >sample2 '''press''' EnterType: '''This is a Unix file.

Press''' Ctrl '''and''' D '''keys''' '''together.
|| Let us see how the '''c m p command''' works.

We will create two sample files '''sample 1''' and '''sample 2''' using the '''cat''' command.

Create two files with '''cat''':
* '''sample1''': This is a Linux file.
* '''sample2''': This is a Unix file.
|-
|| Type''' cmp sample1 sample2 '''press '''Enter.

Highlight:sample1 sample2 differ: byte 11, line 1'''

|| Type''' c m p space sample1 space sample2 '''press '''Enter'''.

We can see how the differences between the first and second file are highlighted.

Output is shown as''' sample1 sample2 differ: byte 11''',''' line 1'''.
|-
|| Type''' cat sample2 '''press '''Enter'''

Type''' wc sample2 '''press '''Enter'''

'''Highlight output'''
|| Next we will see the '''wc''' command.'''w c''' counts the number of lines, words, and characters in a file.

For example, Type '''cat''' '''space''' '''sample2''' and press '''Enter'''.

The file '''sample2''' contains some text.

Now Type '''w c space sample2''' and press '''Enter'''.

Using '''w c''', we see it has '''1 line''',''' 5 words''', '''and 21 characters'''.
|-
||
|| With this we come to the end of this tutorial.
|-
|| '''Slide 11'''

'''Summary'''

In this tutorial, we have learnt to:
* Copy, move, and delete regular files in Linux
* Use file-handling commands such as '''cp''', '''mv''', and '''rm'''
* Compare files and count lines, words, and characters using '''cmp''' and '''wc'''
* Use important command options to manage files safely
|| Let us summarise.
|-
|| '''Slide 12'''

As an assignment,
# Copy one file to another directory using '''cp''' and verify the contents.
# Use '''cp''' '''-i''' and '''cp''' '''-b''' to observe how Linux prevents accidental overwriting.
# Compare two files using '''cmp''' and note the position of the first difference.
# Use the '''wc''' command to find the number of lines, words, and characters in a file.
|| As an assignment, please do the following.
|-
|| '''Slide 13'''

'''Thank you'''
|| This Spoken Tutorial is brought to you by EduPyramids Educational Services Private Limited SINE IIT Bombay. Thank you.
|-
|}

← Older revision	Revision as of 11:07, 24 March 2026
(No difference)

@@ Line 150: / Line 150: @@
 || To keep the same file name, we need not specify its name at the destination.
-Let’s type ''' c p space slash home slash spoken slash test d i r slash test1 space slash home slash spoken ''' and press '''Enter'''.
+Let’s type ''' c p space slash home slash spoken slash test d i r slash test1 space slash home slash spoken '''
 This will copy the file '''test1''' from '''slash home slash spoken slash test dir slash''' to the home directory.
@@ Line 233: / Line 235: @@
 '''mv command'''
 * The '''mv''' command moves files and directories.
 * It is used to rename files or directory or move them to another directory.
@@ Line 290: / Line 293: @@
 || The next command is '''r m'''.
 |-
-|| '''Slide''' '''7'''
+|| '''Slide 7'''
 '''rm command'''
 * The '''rm''' command in Linux is used to remove files and directories.
 * It permanently deletes the specified files from the system
@@ Line 320: / Line 324: @@
 ||Sometimes a file is write-protected, and rm cannot delete it.
- Type''' r m space hyphen r f space test dir '''and press''' Enter'''.
+Type''' r m space hyphen r f space test dir '''and press''' Enter'''.
 This deletes '''test dir''' and all its files and subdirectories recursively.

Linux-New/C2/Working-with-Regular-Files/English - Revision history

Madhurig: Madhurig moved page Linux-Ubuntu/C2/Working-with-Regular-Files/English to Linux-New/C2/Working-with-Regular-Files/English

Madhurig at 10:05, 11 March 2026

Madhurig at 10:03, 11 March 2026

Madhurig at 12:53, 23 January 2026

Ketkinaina: Created page with "'''Title of the script: Working with Regular Files in Linux. '''Authors:''' '''EduPyramids''' '''Keywords:''' Linux, regular files, cp command, mv command, rm command, cmp c..."