Conquer the command line

May 2025

Sometimes only words will do. Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) were a great advance, creating an easy route into computers for non-technical users. But for complex tasks, GUIs can block off choices and require a circuitous route even for simple tasks.

Enter the command line: the blinking cursor many thought had faded away in the 1990s. For getting instructions from user to computer — in a clear, quick, and unambiguous form — nothing beats the command line. It never disappeared on UNIX and Linux systems, and thanks to Raspberry Pi OS, a new generation is discovering how it simplifies complex tasks and lets you carry out simple ones instantly.

Build essential skills, including:

Read and write text files
Find and install software
Manage removable storage
Use Secure Shell (SSH) for remote access
Write disk images to SD cards
Browse the web from the command line

If you’re not comfortable when faced with the $ prompt, don’t panic! In this fully updated book, we’ll quickly make you feel at home and get you familiar with the terminal on Raspberry Pi (or any Mac and Linux computer). Updated for the latest Raspberry Pi software, this book has everything you need to get started.