![]() Here, when we type cd ~, the '~' is expanded to our current home directory, /Users/dr_unix, before the command is passed to the system. What is really means is 'the home directory of the user following me' however, if there is no user, it defaults to your home directory. ![]() In our first discussion, involving the tcsh prompt and the cd command, it was noted that the tilde character, '~', is a shorthand for 'my home directory'. The Unix shells have a set of special characters known as 'metacharacters'. While the ability to manipulate the commands with different arguments is handy, it only hinted at the power at your fingertips. In the previous column, we looked at arguments and options, using the cd and ls commands to show commands requiring and responding to different numbers and types of arguments. If you have any questions about what you read here, check out the earlier columns, write back in the comments below, or join us in Hardcore X! forum. ![]() ![]() This series is designed to help you learn more about the Mac OS X command line. Ron Wurtz (a friend from grad school, you don't know him) "Well, I never metacharacter I didn't like." The Mac Observer Express Daily Newsletter
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