commands

[dkhars]

Ive seen alot of people using commands such as /etc/dev/modems*****.Can anybody tell what these commands are(not this particular one)and where do u use them(in which program or box.Iam a complete novice and i feelif i can at least understand a little bit of how and where to use them it would help in my unstanding and learning of linux.THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR ANY HELP GIVEN :confused:

[7]

People normally use commands in a shell (thats the command line) or at an 'Xterm' which shows you a command line in a window.

Command is just a program,

command
(~~~~~~~~)
cat myfile
(~~) program
. (~~~~~) option

So when you use a command, you just start a program.

That help?

[ 14 March 2001: Message edited by: 7 ]

[dkhars]

Please excuse my lack of understanding but what is a shell.Say if i wanted to use one of tese commands such as /etc/fstab what program do i open up to type this into is one particular program or different ones for different things.SORRY ABOUT MY LACK OF KNOWLEDGE but iam keen to try to learn and i feel if i can at least grasp the basics of these commands and where to type them it would help me alot.
:D :D :confused: :rolleyes:

[FoBoT]

check these Newbieized help files for some basic linux terms and stuff dkhars

basic console commands (http://www.linuxnewbie.org/nhf/intel/shells/basic.html)

basic terminology (http://www.linuxnewbie.org/nhf/intel/misc/basicterms.html)

familiarize yourself with linux (http://www.linuxnewbie.org/nhf/intel/installation/familiarize.html)

it is sorta like opening a DOS box (window) in windows, or being at the C:> prompt in DOS

good luck! :)

ps Welcome to LNO!

[ 14 March 2001: Message edited by: FoBoT ]

[7]

Basically a shell is a command line interface, just a fnacy name for where you type your commands in.

Okay im guessing your using a GUI (graphical user interface) like KDE or gnome right?

Well you need to click on the foot or the K ( the start menu equiv. ) and find a program called 'Xterm' or 'Konsole' and start that.

A new window will open with whats called a command prompt ( or command line interface (CLI) ) with a flashing _, as if it expects you to do something. This is where you execute commands.

(/etc/fstab is a just file, not a command or program )

Hope that helps

--Ed
Better idea FoBot

[ 14 March 2001: Message edited by: 7 ]

[dkhars]

Thank you 7 that is exactly what i wanted to know and thank you FoBoT for your reply and the links that i'm of to read right now.THANKS ALOT BOTH :D :D :D :D :D