Unix Power Tools, 3rd Edition

Chapter 31. Moving Around in a Hurry

Getting Around the Filesystem

Summary Box

How quickly can you move around the Unix filesystem? Can you locate any file or directory on your filesystem with both its absolute and relative pathnames? How can symbolic links help you and hurt you?

A lot of Unix users don’t realize how much they’ll be helped by completely understanding a few filesystem basics. Here are some of the most important concepts and tricks to know:

• Using relative and absolute pathnames: Section 31.2.

• What good is a current directory? Section 31.3.

• Saving time and typing when changing directories with cdpath: Section 31.5.

• Directory stacks keep a list of directories you’re using and let you get to them quickly: Section 31.7, Section 31.8.

• Quick cd aliases: Section 31.9.

• Using variables and a tilde (~) to help you find directories and files: Section 31.11.

• A mark alias to mark directory for cd‘ing back: Section 31.12.

• Automatic setup for entering and exiting a directory: Section 31.13.

— JP

Using Relative and Absolute Pathnames

Everything in the Unix filesystem — files, directories, devices, named pipes, and so on — has two pathnames: absolute and relative. If you know how to find those names, you’ll know the best way to locate the file (or whatever) and use it. Even though pathnames are amazingly simple, they’re one of the biggest problems beginners have. Studying this article carefully can save you a lot of time and frustration. See Figure 31-1 for an illustration of the Unix filesystem. ...