codex-lv2-may-2025

Navigation

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Special Directories and Hidden Files

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Steps

1. Show hidden files with -a Try:

   ls -Fa
   

   Example output:

   ./  ../  exercise-data/  north-pacific-gyre/
   

2. Understand the output

   • . means “this directory” (your current location).
   • .. means “parent directory” (one level up).
   • Other names starting with a dot (like .bash_profile) are hidden configuration files.

3. Why are some files hidden? Hidden files are usually system or configuration files. They start with a . to keep them from cluttering your regular file list.

4. Combine options Options can be grouped:

   ls -F -a
   

   is the same as:

   ls -Fa
   

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Bonus: cd with no argument

1. Try this:

   cd
   

   Then check:

   pwd
   

   Output:

   /Users/nelle
   

   This takes you back to your home directory, no matter where you were.

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Notes

• Use ls -Fa to see everything, including hidden files.
• . and .. are special directory shortcuts.
• cd with no folder brings you back to your home.
• These commands — pwd, ls, and cd — are the foundation for navigating in the shell.

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