Naming files and directories in Linux follows specific guidelines to ensure organization and avoid functionality issues. Here's a summary:
General Rules:
- Case-sensitive: Names are distinguished by case. "myfile" and "MyFile" are considered different files.
- Start character: Avoid starting names with a hyphen (-) or period (.). These can have special meanings in the command line.
- Special characters: While technically allowed, using characters like spaces, &, $, etc., can cause problems with certain commands or scripts. Stick to alphanumeric characters, periods (.), and hyphens (-) for better compatibility.
- Hidden files: Files starting with a dot (.) are hidden by default. Use
ls -a
to view them.
Recommended practices:
- Lowercase: Use lowercase letters for better consistency and searchability. Uppercase letters are generally accepted but can make searching less efficient.
- Hyphens: Separate words with hyphens (-) instead of underscores (_). This makes them easier to read in the command line and aligns better with search engine interpretations.
- Descriptive names: Choose names that clearly reflect the content of the file or directory. This improves organization and understanding for yourself and others using the system.
- Avoid generic names: Don't use generic names like "document1.txt". Be specific and descriptive for better organization.
Additional points:
- File extensions: While not strictly required, using extensions like ".txt" for text files or ".docx" for documents helps identify file types quickly.
- Maximum length: While most modern systems allow long names, some older systems might have limitations. It's good practice to keep names concise and informative.
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