Hey there, fellow devs! 👋
If you're just starting your journey into the world of programming, one of the first tools you'll need to get comfortable with is the terminal. On Windows, the terminal is a powerful way to manage files, run scripts, and interact with your system efficiently.
To help you get started, here’s a list of 14 essential Windows Terminal commands that every beginner developer should know:
1. dir - List Directory Contents
- What it does: Lists all files and folders in the current directory.
-
Example:
C:\Users\YourName> dir
2. cd - Change Directory
- What it does: Moves you into a different directory.
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Example:
C:\Users\YourName> cd Documents C:\Users\YourName\Documents> Pro Tip: Use
cd ..to move up one directory level.
3. mkdir - Make Directory
- What it does: Creates a new folder.
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Example:
C:\Users\YourName> mkdir NewFolder
4. type - Display File Content
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What it does: Displays the contents of a file (similar to
catin Unix-based systems). -
Example:
C:\Users\YourName> type file.txt
5. copy - Copy Files
- What it does: Copies a file from one location to another.
-
Example:
C:\Users\YourName> copy file.txt C:\Backup\file.txt
6. move - Move or Rename Files
- What it does: Moves a file to a new location or renames it.
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Example:
C:\Users\YourName> move file.txt C:\Backup\file.txt C:\Users\YourName> move old_name.txt new_name.txt
7. del - Delete Files
- What it does: Deletes one or more files.
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Example:
C:\Users\YourName> del file.txt Pro Tip: Use
del /sto delete files in subdirectories.
8. rmdir - Remove Directory
- What it does: Deletes an empty directory.
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Example:
C:\Users\YourName> rmdir OldFolder Pro Tip: Use
rmdir /sto delete a directory and its contents.
9. cls - Clear Screen
- What it does: Clears the terminal screen.
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Example:
C:\Users\YourName> cls
10. ipconfig - Network Configuration
- What it does: Displays network information, such as your IP address.
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Example:
C:\Users\YourName> ipconfig
Bonus Commands for Power Users:
11. where - Locate Files
- What it does: Finds the location of a file or executable.
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Example:
C:\Users\YourName> where notepad.exe
12. tasklist - List Running Processes
- What it does: Displays all running processes.
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Example:
C:\Users\YourName> tasklist
13. taskkill - Terminate a Process
- What it does: Stops a running process by name or ID.
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Example:
C:\Users\YourName> taskkill /im notepad.exe
14. systeminfo - System Information
- What it does: Displays detailed system information.
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Example:
C:\Users\YourName> systeminfo
Why Learn Windows Terminal Commands?
- Efficiency: Perform tasks faster without relying on the GUI.
- Automation: Write batch scripts to automate repetitive tasks.
- Troubleshooting: Diagnose and fix system issues directly from the terminal.
Your Turn!
What’s your favorite Windows Terminal command or trick? Share it in the comments below! Let’s help each other level up our skills. 🚀
Happy coding! 💻
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