Essentials

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