P0.2: Command Line & Terminal Basics
In modern frontend development, you will spend a lot of time in the terminal compiling projects, installing dependencies, and running local development servers.
1. Why Command Line Matters
A Graphic User Interface (GUI) is slow. The Command Line Interface (CLI) allows developers to automate complex tasks, build projects, and run developer tools with high efficiency.
Industry Terminal Usage Share
Survey of professional developers who use CLI daily.
Colt SteeleView Profile 🔗
Real-World Developer Case Study RoleSenior Developer & Instructor
Salary₹50 Lakhs/yr equivalent
CompanyUdemy
Core Tech Stack
TerminalBashUnix ShellGitJavaScriptNode.js
“The terminal is the developer's magic wand. Navigating directories with cd and mkdir saves hours. Get comfortable with bash commands early!”
2. Essential CLI Commands
Here are the primary commands you need to memorize to navigate folders and create directories:
| Command (bash/zsh) | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| pwd | Print Working Directory (where am I?) | pwd |
| ls | List files and folders in current directory | ls |
| cd <folder> | Change Directory (navigate into a folder) | cd Desktop |
| cd .. | Navigate back to the parent folder | cd .. |
| mkdir <name> | Make Directory (create a new folder) | mkdir nextsem-practice |
| touch <name> | Create a new empty file | touch index.html |
| rm <name> | Delete a file | rm index.html |