The Hellgate Computing Cluster runs on Linux, an open-source operating system. When using Hellgate there is no user interface, instead it is accessed though a command-line interface (CLI) such as Terminal. Navigating Hellgate without a user interface can be intimidating but there are a few commands that will help you get around fairly easily.
CLI commands have a consistent structure: command <options> <input>
Location/ Reading:
- ls – lists contents in the current directory
- pwd – prints absolute path location of where you are
- nano – text editor that lets you open a file a file and edit it
- cat – lets you read a file in the command line (can’t edit)
- cat <file name>
Moving/ Creating:
- cd – used to change directories either one at a time or with absolute paths
- cd <directory name>
- cd /mnt/beegfs/projects/<netID>
- cd .. (moves outside a directory or up one level)
- cd ~ (goes to home directory)
- mkdir – makes a directory (folder) in the directory you are in
- mkdir <new directory name>
- mv – used to move files between directories or rename files
- mv <file name> <directory name>
- mv <current file name> <new file name>
- rm – used to remove files
- rm <file name>
- 'rm -rf' - used to remove a directory and its contents
- rm -rf <directory_name>
- cp – used to copy files
- cp <copied file name> <file name>
Help:
- man - most Linux commands will have a 'manual' available to view which can be read with this command
- man <command>
- man ls
- man man