cd (change directory) in Linux CLI - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

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What does the cd command do in Linux?

The cd command changes the current working directory to another directory you specify.

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How do you go back to your home directory using cd?

Simply type cd without any arguments or cd ~ to return to your home directory.

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What does cd .. do?

It moves you up one directory level, to the parent directory of your current location.

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How can you move to an absolute path using cd?

Type cd followed by the full path starting from root, for example, cd /usr/local/bin.

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What happens if you try cd to a directory that does not exist?

You will get an error message like bash: cd: directory: No such file or directory.

What command takes you to the parent directory?

A cd ~

B cd /

C cd ..

D cd -

cd .. moves you up one directory level to the parent directory.

How do you return to your home directory quickly?

A cd ~

B cd ..

C cd /home

D cd /root

cd ~ or just cd takes you to your home directory.

Which command changes directory to an absolute path?

A cd folder

B cd /usr/bin

C cd ../folder

D cd ~

Absolute paths start with /, so cd /usr/bin is absolute.

What does cd - do?

A Goes to the root directory

B Goes to the parent directory

C Goes to the home directory

D Goes to the previous directory you were in

cd - switches back to the last directory you visited.

If you type cd unknown and the directory does not exist, what happens?

A You stay in the current directory and get an error

B You move to the root directory

C You create the directory automatically

D You move to the home directory

You get an error and stay where you are because the directory does not exist.

Explain how to navigate to your home directory and then move up one level using cd commands.

Think about what <code>cd</code> alone does and what <code>..</code> means.

Describe the difference between using a relative path and an absolute path with the cd command.

Consider paths starting with <code>/</code> versus those that don't.