LINUX · Start here · 5 min

Build a useful directory layout

Create folders and a small status file in a Linux shell.

Not completed

Your task

Create reports/archive and write ready on its own line in reports/current.txt.

What you’re aiming for

reports/archive is a directory.
reports/current.txt contains ready.

1. Prepare your practice folder

Use a Linux terminal, such as Ubuntu or WSL on Windows. These examples use Linux file permissions. In WSL, create your practice folder in your Linux home directory (~).

Create a new, empty folder for this exercise. If that name already exists, choose another new name. Continue only after you’re inside the new folder.

NEW PRACTICE FOLDER

mkdir opsrung-linux-organize-files && cd opsrung-linux-organize-files

This task starts with an empty folder; no starter files are needed.

2. Try the task

Work toward the goal above. Start by inspecting the files or resources, then use a hint if you need one.

Hint 1

Work inside the new empty practice folder you created in step 1.

Hint 2

mkdir -p can create more than one directory level.

Hint 3

Use printf to put a short line into a file.

3. Review your result

Use these commands to look at your result and compare it with the goals. The website does not run or verify them.

REVIEW IN YOUR TERMINAL

ls -ld reports/archive
cat reports/current.txt

What you should see

ls -ld reports/archive shows a directory; its permission field begins with d.
cat reports/current.txt prints ready on its own line.

If your result differs: If the path does not exist, create the parent folders with mkdir -p before writing the file. Work inside your practice folder.

Compare with one possible solution

ONE POSSIBLE SOLUTION

mkdir -p reports/archive
printf 'ready\n' > reports/current.txt

Other approaches are fine if you reach the same goal. Opening this solution does not mark the exercise complete.

Finished this exercise?

You decide when you’re done. Your choice is saved in this browser, and you can change it later.