macOS Move Into a Directory

[crtvmac]

I am having a problem getting into my directories from the Terminal window using Mac. When I type ls -F, I get a list of my directory's with the / before the directories. Then I type cd and the name of the directory I am trying to get into. When I do that command, i keep getting "-bash: cd: Java: Not a Directory" or "No such file or directory". Will someone tell me what I am doing to not be able to get into any of my directories?

 

[lloyddean]

Two things for our enlightenment.

Please post the results of issuing the 'alias' and 'cd /' commands from the Terminal.

 

[iShater]

I'm not sure if bash changed that much from 10.5 to 10.6, but that is not the error message I get:

file1: Not a directory.
or
file: No such file or directory.


Can you give an example of a directory name from your ls command and what you are passing to the cd command?

 

[crtvmac]

Two things for our enlightenment.

Please post the results of issuing the 'alias' and 'cd /' commands from the Terminal.

My mistake. The '/ ' is after the directory I am trying to get into.

 

[balamw]

Are there spaces or other whitespace in the directory names?

If so, you need to escape them either with backslashes or quotes.

I always find the easy way is to use tab completion.

i.e. type cd and if you want to go to folder "Java Code" type J then tab until the right name is shown.

B

 

[crtvmac]

I'm not sure if bash changed that much from 10.5 to 10.6, but that is not the error message I get:

file1: Not a directory.
or
file: No such file or directory.


Can you give an example of a directory name from your ls command and what you are passing to the cd command?

I'm running 10.6.2.
Example from 'ls' command: 'Java Learning/'
Example from 'cd' command: 'cd Java Learning'

 

[balamw]

I'm running 10.6.2.
Example from 'ls' command: 'Java Learning/'
Example from 'cd' command: 'cd Java Learning'

See my post above and read Wiki for more info on tab completion. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Command_line_completion

B

 

[iShater]

I'm running 10.6.2.
Example from 'ls' command: 'Java Learning/'
Example from 'cd' command: 'cd Java Learning'

It is a space issue most likely.

As the suggestion above says, type the cd command and the first word of the folder name then hit the ESC key twice/or hit TAB once, it will auto complete for you. You will see that it uses some escape characters.

You can also use " quotes around the name.

Edit: Tab completion and ESC both work.

 

[balamw]

If you choose not to use command line completion you just need to wrap it in quotes yourself.

cd "Java Learning"/

or

cd Java\ Learning/

EDIT: you learn something new everyday. I didn't realize you could use either single or double quotes and double ESC instead of TAB.

B

 

[iShater]

EDIT: you learn something new everyday. I didn't realize you could use either single or double quotes and double ESC instead of TAB.

B

I actually forgot about the TAB, thanks for reminding me.

 

[crtvmac]

Are there spaces or other whitespace in the directory names?

If so, you need to escape them either with backslashes or quotes.

I always find the easy way is to use tab completion.

i.e. type cd and if you want to go to folder "Java Code" type J then tab until the right name is shown.

B

I used the quotes as you suggested and was able to get into my selected directory. Thank you for the assistance.