3.3. Using the Command-Line Tool

The command line is a place where you can run an application, navigate between directories, and perform specific tasks by just typing commands. For a novice, using the command line may seem intimidating at first, but once it’s mastered, it’s powerful and fast. If you are interested in emerging technology, the command line may be the only way initially to test applications, as UIs are usually the last component built in software development.

3.3.1. A Basic Review

To use the command line on the Mac, open the Terminal window. On Windows, press Shift-Right click and the context menu will display an Open command window. The key is to understand how to point or navigate to the application you want to use, whether you want to use it on its own or to execute commands on other files located in other directories.