Chapter 1: Initial Set Up

Question 1

define command line

Answer 1

• text-only interface where we run and execute text-only commands
• alternative to the mouse or finger-based graphical user interface
• necessary to…
  -execute programs,
  
  • install software
  • use Git for version control
  • and connect to servers in the cloud

Question 2

command line caution…

Answer 2

There is often no feedback after a command has run, and it is possible to wipe the contents of an entire computer with a single command if you’re not careful: no warning will pop up! As a result, use the command line with caution. Do not blindly copy and paste commands you find online

Question 3

other terms for command line (5)

Answer 3

CLI (Command Line Interface), console, terminal, shell, prompt

Question 4

define terminal

Answer 4

the program that opens up a new window to access the command line

Question 5

define console

Answer 5

a text-based application

Question 6

define shell

Answer 6

the program that runs commands on the underlying operating system

Question 7

define prompt

Answer 7

where commands are typed and run

Question 8

what comes to the left of the % in terminal?

Answer 8

Don’t worry about what comes to the LEFT of the % prompt. It varies by computer and can be customized

Question 9

what is the default shell for macOS?

Answer 9

zsh (Z shell)

Question 10

what does the $ prompt indicate?

Answer 10

you are using the previous default macOS shell, Bash

Question 11

define unix

Answer 11

• a multiuser, multitasking operating system (OS)
• essential components, including the kernel, shell, file system and a core set of utilities or programs

Question 12

define kernel

Answer 12

a master control program that starts and ends programs. also handles low-level operations

Question 13

how to comment in shell commands?

Answer 13

#

Question 14

pwd command

Answer 14

print working directory

Question 15

change directory

Answer 15

cd command + intended location

Question 16

how to make a new directory?

Answer 16

mkdir + new directory name

Question 17

how to autocomplete a command/cycle through options?

Answer 17

tab key

Question 18

how to clear terminal of past commands and outputs

Answer 18

clear

Question 19

how to cycle through previous commands

Answer 19

↑ and ↓ keys

Question 20

where can you find a complete list of shell commands?

Answer 20

ss64.com

Question 21

what does&raquo_space;> indicate?

Answer 21

that you are inside python itself, NOT the command line. shell commands will raise errors. only python code will work

Question 22

advantages and limitations of python interactive mode (1, 2)

Answer 22

1) good to save time if you want to try out a short bit of code
2) can’t save work in a file
3) writing longer code snippets is cumbersome

Question 23

how to exit python and return to command line

Answer 23

exit()
OR
ctrl+d

Question 24

what is the advantage of virtual environments?

Answer 24

allow you to create and manage separate environments for each Python project on the same computer

Question 25

how to print a message on terminal

Answer 25

echo “text in quotes”