Command Line Interface (CLI)
A command line interface or CLI is a method to interact with the computer with the help of textual lines. In layman’s terms, the user types a command and computer prompt character in response to that.
In the 1960s, CLI was used intensively.
Back then, people had only a keyboard as an input device and the computer screen could only display text information. The operating systems like MS-DOS used the CLI as the standard user interface.
Common and Popular CLI
- Windows (DOS): C:\>
- OS X (bash shell): My-iMac:/ me$
- Linux (bash shell): [root@myserver /]#
Advantages of a command line interface
- If you know the commands, a CLI can be a lot faster and efficient than any other type of interface. It can also handle repetitive tasks easily.
- A CLI requires less memory to use in comparison to other interfaces. It also does not use as much CPU processing time as other interfaces.
- A CLI doesn’t require Windows and a low-resolution monitor can be used. Meaning, it needs fewer resources, yet is highly precise.
Basic CLI Commands
There are hundreds of different commands available in a command line. The set of commands may vary dramatically between operating systems or applications.
ls List the directory (folder).
cd .. Move one level up (one folder) in the file system.
cp Copy a file to another folder.
mv Move a file to another folder.
mkdir Creates a new directory (folder).
rmdir Remove a directory (folder).
clear Clears the CLI window.
exit Closes the CLI window.
History and Detail Information On CLI
