The current directory

Also known as: Where you are.

It is often critically important that you know where you are when you issue a command. This is why the prompt is often set to show the current directory. Or use pwd to find out.

See the superbasics on the file system for more information:

• The special name . always refers to the current directory.

• Understand the current directory in terms of navigating the file system.

• use the cd (“change directory”) command to move around the file system — this is how you control where you are.