Basic Unix Commands

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Unix commands (HOME DIR)

Note: All unix commands take the basic form:
command file (where “file” is the file to execute “command” upon)

Or more generically:
command argument1 argument2 [argument3]

ls    lists current directory contents

ls -l     long listing (owner, permissions, size, etc) – add “-h” for human readable sizes

ls -a     list all, including those files that start with a dot (.).

pwd     print working directory

mkdir [directory name]  create a subdirectory

cd     change working directory
– cd [directory name]
– cd .. moves up 1 directory level
– cd – toggles back to previous directory

cp     copy a file
– cp [filename1] [filename2] (-R does recursive copy of all subdirectiries)

mv     move (or rename) a file
– mv [filename1] [filename2]

less     view a file one page at a time, advance pages with SPACE
less [filename] or less [filename]

rm     remove (delete) a file (Note: there is no “undo”)
– rm [filename] (-r does recursive removal…useful, but be CAREFUL)

rmdir [directory name] note: the directory has to be empty

cat     view the contents of a file (or better, “output” its contents), concatinate

>       redirect output to a new file
cat [file1] [file2] > [newfile]

>>    adds or “appends” to an existing file
cat [file1] [file2] [file3] >> temp_file

|     Pipe, allows you to pass the results (stdout) of a command to another command
– ls | more

history     shown a list of previously executed commands (-h for no command numbers)

!!     run previous command in history (also “up-arrow”) number in history

!#     run command from “history” where “#” is the command number

*    wild card used to stand for “all”
– ls *.txt list all files with the extension .txt

Soundfile directory commands (SFDIR)

lsf     lists current soundfile directory contents

lsf -l     long listing (owner, permissions, size, etc)s

pwdsf     print working directory

mkdirsf [directory name] create a subdirectory

cdsf     change working directory
– cdsf [directory name]
– cdsf .. moves up 1 directory level (or “../../” for up two, etc)
– cdsf – toggles to previous directory (like “Back” in a browser)

cpsf     copy a file
cpsf [filename1] [filename2] (-R does recursive copy of all subdirectiries)

mvsf     move (and/or rename) a file
– mvsf [filename1] [filename2]

rmsf     remove (erase) a file
– rmsf [filename] (-r does recursive removal…useful, but be CAREFUL)

rmdirsf [directory name] note: the directory has to be empty

play (p) play a soundfile or soundfiles in your current working directory
– p soundfile1.wav [soundfile-n.wav]

sfinfo view information about a soundfile in your current directory
– sfinfo soundfile1.wav [soundfile-n.wav]

playsflib(psfl) play a soundfile from the soundfile directories
– psfl  fl.c4.wav

findsflib     search the soundfile directory by character string
– findsflib character_string

findsflib -p     search the soundfile directory by character string and play them as they are found
– findsflib -p character_string

CEMC specific commands (more to come)

lsex    list available tutorial examples

getex    obtain a copy of a tutorial example
– getex tutorial1 > mytutorial1

lstp    list available templates (blank examples)

gettp    obtain a copy of a template (blank examples)

cemchelp    view available help files and read file designated by argument

cs    shortcut to “csound”
– cs orc sout (compile files “orc” and “sout” with Csound

ssgdig  shortcut for ssh access to “digital.music.cornell.edu”
ssgdev  shortcut for ssh access to “devel.music.cornell.edu”

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