What is Command Line Interface (CLI)?
C:\>npm install mysoftware
CLI stands for:
- Command Line Interface
- Command Line Interpreter
- Command Line Input
Command Line Input
CLI is a command line program that accepts text input to execute operating system functions.
In the 1960s, using only computer terminals, this was the only way to interact with computers.
In the 1970s an 1980s, command line input was commonly used by Unix systems and PC systems like MS-DOS and Apple DOS.
Today, with graphical user interfaces (GUI), most users never use command-line interfaces (CLI).
However, CLI is still used by software developers and system administrators to configure computers, install software, and access features that are not available in the graphical interface.
Examples
The software package manager npm uses command line input to install software:
Windows Example
C:\>npm install mysoftware
Mac OS Example
>npm install mysoftware
You can navigate your folders (directories) with command line commands:
Windows Example
C:\Users\myuser>cd ..
C:\Users\>cd ..
C:\>
Use CLI commands with great attention!!!
Wrong use can easily delete files or destroy your computer system completely.
Basic Linux CLI Commands
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
| ls | List the directory (folder) system. |
| cd pathname | Change directory (folder) in the file system. |
| cd .. | Move one level up (one folder) in the file system. |
| cp | Copy a file to another folder. |
| mv | Move a file to another folder. |
| mkdir | Creates a new directory (folder). |
| rmdir | Remove a directory (folder). |
| clear | Clears the CLI window. |
| exit | Closes the CLI window. |
| man command | Shows the manual for a given command. |
Basic Windows CLI Commands
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
| dir | List the directory (folder) system. |
| cd pathname | Change directory (folder) in the file system. |
| cd \ | Move to the root folder of the file system. |
| cd .. | Move one level up (one folder) in the file system. |
| copy | Copy a file to another folder. |
| move | Move a file to another folder. |
| type filename | Type a file. |
| mkdir or md | Creates a new directory (folder). |
| rmdir or rd | Removes a directory (folder). |
| cls | Clears the CLI window. |
| exit | Closes the CLI window. |
| help command | Shows the manual for a given command. |
DOS Commands Help
You can display all available commands with the help command:
Example
C:\Users\myuser>help
ASSOC
Displays or modifies file extension associations.
ATTRIB
Displays or changes file attributes.
BREAK
Sets or clears extended CTRL+C checking.
BCDEDIT
Sets properties in boot database to control boot loading.
CACLS
Displays or modifies access control lists (ACLs) of files.
CALL
Calls one batch program from another.
CD
Displays the name of or changes the current directory.
CHCP
Displays or sets the active code page number.
CHDIR
Displays the name of or changes the current directory.
CHKDSK
Checks a disk and displays a status report.
CHKNTFS
Displays or modifies the checking of disk at boot time.
CLS
Clears the screen.
CMD
Starts a new instance of the Windows command interpreter.
COLOR
Sets the default console foreground and background colors.
COMP
Compares the contents of two files or sets of files.
COMPACT
Displays or alters the compression of files on NTFS partitions.
CONVERT
Converts FAT volumes to NTFS. You cannot convert the current drive.
COPY
Copies one or more files to another location.
DATE
Displays or sets the date.
DEL
Deletes one or more files.
DIR
Displays a list of files and subdirectories in a directory.
DISKPART
Displays or configures Disk Partition properties.
DOSKEY
Edits command lines, recalls Windows commands, and creates macros.
DRIVERQUERY
Displays current device driver status and properties.
ECHO
Displays messages, or turns command echoing on or off.
ENDLOCAL
Ends localization of environment changes in a batch file.
ERASE
Deletes one or more files.
EXIT
Quits the CMD.EXE program (command interpreter).
FC
Compares two files or sets of files, and displays the differences between them.
FIND
Searches for a text string in a file or files.
FINDSTR
Searches for strings in files.
FOR
Runs a specified command for each file in a set of files.
FORMAT
Formats a disk for use with Windows.
FSUTIL
Displays or configures the file system properties.
FTYPE
Displays or modifies file types used in file extension associations.
GOTO
Directs the Windows command interpreter to a labeled line in a batch program.
GPRESULT
Displays Group Policy information for machine or user.
GRAFTABL
Enables Windows to display an extended character set in graphics mode.
HELP
Provides Help information for Windows commands.
ICACLS
Display, modify, backup, or restore ACLs for files and directories.
IF
Performs conditional processing in batch programs.
LABEL
Creates, changes, or deletes the volume label of a disk.
MD
Creates a directory.
MKDIR
Creates a directory.
MKLINK
Creates Symbolic Links and Hard Links.
MODE
Configures a system device.
MORE
Displays output one screen at a time.
MOVE
Moves one or more files from one directory to another directory.
OPENFILES
Displays files opened by remote users for a file share.
PATH
Displays or sets a search path for executable files.
PAUSE
Suspends processing of a batch file and displays a message.
POPD
Restores the previous value of the current directory saved by PUSHD.
PRINT
Prints a text file.
PROMPT
Changes the Windows command prompt.
PUSHD
Saves the current directory then changes it.
RD
Removes a directory.
RECOVER
Recovers readable information from a bad or defective disk.
REM
Records comments (remarks) in batch files or CONFIG.SYS.
REN
Renames a file or files.
RENAME
Renames a file or files.
REPLACE
Replaces files.
RMDIR
Removes a directory.
ROBOCOPY
Advanced utility to copy files and directory trees.
SET
Displays, sets, or removes Windows environment variables.
SETLOCAL
Begins localization of environment changes in a batch file.
SC
Displays or configures services (background processes).
SCHTASKS
Schedules commands and programs to run on a computer.
SHIFT
Shifts the position of replaceable parameters in batch files.
SHUTDOWN
Allows proper local or remote shutdown of machine.
SORT
Sorts input.
START
Starts a separate window to run a specified program or command.
SUBST
Associates a path with a drive letter.
SYSTEMINFO
Displays machine specific properties and configuration.
TASKLIST
Displays all currently running tasks including services.
TASKKILL
Kill or stop a running process or application.
TIME
Displays or sets the system time.
TITLE
Sets the window title for a CMD.EXE session.
TREE
Graphically displays the directory structure of a drive or path.
TYPE
Displays the contents of a text file.
VER
Displays the Windows version.
VERIFY
Tells Windows whether to verify that your files are written correctly to a disk.
VOL
Displays a disk volume label and serial number.
XCOPY
Copies files and directory trees.
WMIC
Displays WMI information inside interactive command shell.
Command Help
For more information on a specific command, type help + command-name
Example
C:\Users\myuser>help date
Displays or sets the date.
DATE [/T | date]
Type DATE without parameters to display the current date setting and
a prompt for a new one. Press ENTER to keep the same date.
If Command Extensions are enabled the DATE command supports
the /T switch which tells the command to just output the
current date, without prompting for a new date.