What You've Learned
The command-line interface provides an additional method for configuring and troubleshooting a computer running Mac OS X. You shouldn't think of it as a replacement for the graphical interface, but rather as a complementary interface that allows you to do some things more efficiently.
- The command line gives you another way to execute commands in Mac OS X.
- Interfaces to the command line include console, ssh, single-user mode, and Terminal.
- The man pages provide online help.
- You can navigate around the file system and move, copy, and rename files from the command line.
- You can make changes to file ownership and permissions at a more granular level using a command-line interface.
- You can use locate and find to find files.
- The last command helps you keep track of user logins.
- The id command helps you keep track of user and group IDs.
- The tail command helps you view recent activity in a log file.
- The command-line interface gives you another way to force quit applications and processes.
References
The following Knowledge Base documents (located at www.apple.com/support) will provide you with further information regarding using the command-line interface.
Open Firmware Password
- 106482, "Setting up Open Firmware Password Protection in Mac OS X 10.1 or later"
Terminal
- 25591, "Mac OS X 10.3: Terminal Commands That Require Authentication Unlock Other Applications"
- 61357, "Mac OS X: About Entering Commands in Terminal"
- 106712, "Troubleshooting permissions issues in Mac OS X"
URLs
Visit the following website for more information.
- Apple Remote Desktop: www.apple.com/remotedesktop