2. Filesystem Management

This chapter moves from basic terminal use into deliberate filesystem work: path navigation, file operations, links, hidden configuration files, and project organization.

• Paths: Use absolute and relative locations to move through the directory tree.

• File operations: Create, copy, move, rename, remove, and inspect files carefully.

• Links: Use hard links and symbolic links to represent relationships between files.

• Dotfiles: Recognize hidden configuration files that shape shell behavior.

• Project structure: Organize folders so scripts, data, documentation, and outputs stay findable.

Chapter Video

How to Navigate the Terminal with Bash (6:07) by Microsoft Developer

Hosted on YouTube; property of its original creator, embedded here for educational reference only.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

1. Navigate absolute and relative paths with confidence.

2. Create, move, copy, rename, and remove files safely.

3. Explain file types, attributes, hard links, and symbolic links.

4. Use hidden files and shell configuration files intentionally.

5. Organize project directories so they are readable and maintainable.

Chapter Flow

1. Advanced Navigation

2. File Management

3. File Attributes & Links

4. Hidden Files & Config

5. Project Organization

Glossary

#	Term	Explanation
1	Absolute path	A path that starts at the root directory and names a location completely.
2	Relative path	A path interpreted from the current working directory.
3	Working directory	The directory a shell uses as the starting point for relative paths.
4	PATH	An environment variable listing directories where the shell searches for commands.
5	Command lookup	The process Bash uses to find an executable command name.
6	Directory tree	The hierarchical structure of directories and files below the root.
7	Glob pattern	A filename pattern, such as *.txt, expanded by the shell before a command runs.
8	Wildcard	A pattern character such as * or ? that matches filenames.
9	Recursive operation	An operation that descends into subdirectories and applies to their contents.
10	File type	The category of filesystem object, such as regular file, directory, or link.
11	File attribute	Metadata about a file, such as permissions, owner, size, or timestamp.
12	Hard link	A directory entry that points to the same inode as another filename.
13	Symbolic link	A special file that stores a path to another file or directory.
14	Hidden file	A Unix-style file whose name begins with a dot.
15	Dotfile	A hidden configuration file, commonly stored in a user’s home directory.
16	.bashrc	A Bash startup file commonly used for interactive shell configuration.
17	Backup	A separate copy kept so data can be recovered after deletion or failure.
18	Project root	The top-level folder that contains a project’s files and subfolders.
19	.gitignore	A Git configuration file listing files and patterns to leave untracked.
20	Filesystem organization	The practice of arranging files and directories for clarity and maintenance.