UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Hi,

I'm new to this forum, but i'm getting to work on some unix and i like it a lot. I'm trying to figure out a way i can create a shortcut command for a long pathname for example, if i needed to access a file in a particular directory i would type "cd /sampledata/IFS/IFS_DEV/HDC/files/glitter". but instead i just want to type "glitter" at the command line and be able to access the glitter directory. Can someone give me a sample script that would help me accomplish this.

Thanks for your help

man the alias command.

yes, but i think that just gives it an assigns it a name. It does not actually execute the command from one directory and take me to that location as specified by the actual path name

Well, u can use alias to give that long path any aliasname.
Then after that use "cd aliasname" at ur shell.
This will work.
Just try it!!

For making alias name effective for all ur future sessions....
Edit .profile file and enter that alias command there.....

1) find in your root directory the following file
.cshrc or .cshrc.user(hidden files)
2) in this file add the following line.
alias glitter 'cd /sampledata/IFS/IFS_DEV/HDC/files/glitter')

[sd12@phenix sd12]$ cat .bash_profile
# .bash_profile

# Get the aliases and functions
if [ -f ~/.bashrc ]; then
. ~/.bashrc
fi

# User specific environment and startup programs

PATH=$PATH:$HOME/bin

export PATH
unset USERNAME

alias disk 'cd /sam/dir1/disk'

This is the alias script i used. but i get an error message when i type disk at the command line. it is not taking me to that the file disk.

[sd12@phenix sd12]$ disk
bash: disk: command not found

Also i get this error message when i log in

bash: alias: disk: not found
bash: alias: cd /sam/dir1/disk: not found

Can someone please enlighten. Thank you

if you're modifying '.profile':

Code:

alias disk='cd /sam/dir1/disk'

alias definitions for different shells are different - you had syntax for csh-types shells and you're runnig bash-like shell.

and don't forget to 'source' your '.profile' file after modifying it:

Code:

. ~/.profile