Path

Core Idea

A path is a text name that tells Linux how to find a file, directory, or special filesystem object.

Path Forms

• Absolute path: starts at /, such as /etc/os-release.
• Relative path: starts from the current directory, such as pages/index.md.
• Home path: starts with ~, such as ~/src/pages/index.md.
• Current directory: ..
• Parent directory: ...

Commands To Try

pwd
ls .
ls ..
ls ~
ls /etc/os-release

How The Shell Helps

The shell expands ~ before the command runs. The command receives the expanded path. Tab completion asks the shell to complete a path from the filesystem.

Common Confusions

• ~/src/pages/index.md and src/pages/index.md are not the same unless your current directory is your home.
• Paths are case-sensitive on normal Linux filesystems.
• Spaces in paths need quoting, but this course avoids spaces in filenames.
• A URL path and a filesystem path can look similar but belong to different systems.

Proof Check

Run pwd, then explain whether src/pages/index.md would point at your site source from that location.

Docs Pointers

• Run man pwd, man cd, and man realpath.
• Read Filesystem, Directory, and File.