File System Paths.

File system paths are essential for navigating and managing files in Linux. They can be categorized into two main types: absolute paths and relative paths.

Absolute Path

• Starts from the root / directory.
• Describes the full location of a file or folder.

Example:

cd /home/user/Documents

This takes you directly to the Documents folder of user.

Relative Path

• Relative to the current working directory.
• Doesn’t start with /.

Example:

cd Documents/Reports

This navigates to Documents/Reports assuming you’re currently in /home/user.

Special Path Symbols

• cd Command – Change Directory

Syntax:

cd [directory]

If no argument is given, it goes to the user’s home directory.

Chain with relative path

cd /home/user/Documents
cd ../Pictures
pwd

Output:

/home/user/Pictures

Tip: Tab Completion

When using cd, press Tab to auto-complete directory names:

cd /var/lo<Tab>

It auto-completes to:

cd /var/log

Common Errors

Directory doesn’t exist

cd /nonexistent/path

Output:

bash: cd: /nonexistent/path: No such file or directory

Permission denied

cd /root

Output (as non-root user):

bash: cd: /root: Permission denied

Related Commands

• pwd: Print working directory.
• ls: List contents of a directory.
• ls -l: Long listing with permissions and timestamps.