Hdi2u S09

Linux shortcut symbols

• We've seen * is a special symbol, and how useful it can be.
• There are more however:
• ? matches a single character

ls multiseqs??.blastx

• . the directory you are currently in, useful for launching directory-held programs
• .. the directory one level above the one you are currently in, aka. the parent directory
• ~ shorthand for your home directory, where all your data is kept.
• $VAR the dollar sign indicates a variable substitution. You set it with

VAR="that was then, this is now"

• These variables are often used to provide an so-called "environment" for programs to run.
• ; separates two commands on the same line
• > directs output of one command into a file
• | often called the pipe operator: directs output of one command into another command.