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Asked: 2024-09-25T02:52:45+05:30 In:

How can I display the complete path of a file or directory in the terminal on Ubuntu?

I’ve been diving into the terminal on my Ubuntu system lately, and I’ve hit a bit of a snag that I could really use some help with. Here’s the deal: I often find myself working with different files and directories, and it’s super common for me to get lost in the structure. You know how it can be—one minute you’re in one directory, and ten minutes later, you feel like you’re wandering aimlessly through this labyrinth of folders.

So, I started thinking, there’s got to be a straightforward way to see the complete path of the files or directories I’m dealing with. I mean, it would save me so much time and confusion, right? I’ve tried a few commands here and there, but they either give me partial paths or just make things even more complicated. It’s like the terminal is playing hard to get!

For example, let’s say I’m in my home directory and I want to find out the exact path to a project folder I’m working on. Ideally, I would love to just type something in and bam—I see the full path right there in front of me. But so far, it’s been hit or miss, and I’m starting to feel like I’m missing out on an essential command that everyone else knows.

I’ve heard whispers of this ‘pwd’ command, but when I tried it, I didn’t quite get the results I was hoping for, especially when I was second-guessing my folder structure. Maybe I’m not using it correctly? Or maybe there’s a whole lot of other commands I should be looking into?

So, could anyone share how I can easily display the complete path of a file or directory in the terminal on Ubuntu? Any tips, tricks, or commands you have up your sleeve would be hugely appreciated! I’d love to hear about any experiences you’ve had, too—like how you navigate your files and directories without losing your mind! Let’s get this figured out together.

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    2 Answers

    1. To display the complete path of your current working directory in the Ubuntu terminal, you can use the `pwd` command, which stands for “print working directory.” When you type `pwd` and hit enter, it will output the full path of the directory you are currently in. For instance, if you are in a project folder nested within your home directory, executing the command will yield something like `/home/your_username/project_folder`. This can help you keep track of where you are in the directory structure, especially when you’re navigating through multiple nested folders.

      If you’re looking to find the complete path of a specific file or directory that you’re currently working with, you can use the `find` command. For example, if you’re in your home directory and want to locate the `project_folder`, you can execute: find $(pwd) -name "project_folder". This command begins the search from your current directory (`$(pwd)`) and looks for the directory named “project_folder,” giving you the complete path if it exists. Additionally, to list all files with their full paths within your current directory, you can use: ls -d $PWD/*. This will display all the files and directories with their complete paths, making it easier for you to navigate your file structure without disorientation.






    2. Terminal Path Navigation Help

      Getting the Full Path in Ubuntu Terminal

      I totally get the struggle! Working in the terminal can sometimes feel like navigating a maze, especially when you’re unsure of your current location in the directory structure.

      So, the command you’re looking for is indeed pwd (which stands for “print working directory”). This command should show you the complete path of where you currently are in the terminal. Just type pwd and hit enter, and it should display a result like:

      /home/your_username/path/to/your/current_directory/

      If you’re trying to find the path to a specific project folder and you’re in your home directory or another folder, you can also use the ls command to list the files and directories. For example, if you type:

      ls

      This will show you the contents of the current directory. Once you see your project folder, you can navigate to it using the cd command like this:

      cd your_project_folder

      After that, just type pwd again to see the full path of that project folder. It’s super helpful!

      Extra Tips:

      • If you want to see the complete path of a different folder without navigating to it, you can do realpath /path/to/your/folder.
      • Make sure you’re typing the folder names correctly. Linux is case-sensitive!
      • When in doubt, use the man command to learn more about any command, like man pwd.

      So, give these commands a try! And remember, it’s all about practice. The more you work with it, the easier it gets to navigate the terminal without getting lost!


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