To most people, command line functions are completely alien. They even look quite rudimentary. In contrast, the command line function screen is black, with a cursor and a text prompt. It doesn’t get any more old-fashioned or intimidating, for many people.
What is it?
Is nothing more than a text-based interface. And it predates the type we’re used to from operating systems like Windows and Mac OS. Nonetheless, this is an extremely powerful tool for gaining access to your machine’s most basic—and, often, important—functions.
These days, most of us give our devices instructions by clicking, swiping and tapping. Still, commands remains a great way to give your computer direct instructions. Therefore, while many who learn to code start with a command line, it’s not a bad skill to pick up for the average user either.
For one thing, it will open up an entirely new world in terms of understanding how a computer operates and organizes information. Many people have found that tasks they normally carry out with a mouse would actually be a lot easier by using a command line function.
Basic Commands
Just about everybody will love the peace of mind that comes from understanding command line though. If your computer ever “freezesâ€, starts acting slowly or is otherwise misbehaving, knowing basic commands will often be the answer. You’ll save yourself time, frustration and the pain of hiring a pricey technician.
Of course, if you ever do decide to push yourself in terms of learning about computers, commands is a great place to start. Truly powerful languages like Python are much easier to devour when you begin by knowing command line.
In this way, command functions are a lot like Latin. If you just want a better shot at understanding the basics of your own language or improving your chance on certain language-based tests, Latin will definitely help. At the same time, if you are able to get a solid grasp on this ancient language, some of the most important ones used today will soon become easy for you.
Sources:
Master the Command Line This Weekend
A Command Line Primer for Beginners
Photo Cred: Flickr / Samson Loo
Comments are closed.