Saving some time when working with paths

[serg.kr]

Lots of commands in Linux require you to type in paths and filenames. Occasionally, they can get long and convoluted. Surely, there's a way around that?

How can I store the current working directory into some sort of variable? And then be able to use that variable in a command later on? And then delete the variable when I'm done with it?

Also, how can I do the same with one of the files listed when I enter the ls command? For example, one of the files I was working with lately was called j2sdk-1.4.2-03-linux-i586.bin, which is a monster of a name to type in manually. Is there a way to save some time and effort here?

All tips welcome, and thanks in advance!

[iwanabeguru]

for get the current working directory with full path use the pwd command
and use the command substitute operators `` (its not "" or '')

example:
/dir1/dir2/dir3
cd /dir1/dir2/dir3
pwd
/dir1/dir2/dir3

to run application in the dir3 which not contained in the $PATH
`pwd`/application
or us the "./" syntax
./application

2.
for long names use the bash complement function use TAB key
example
you want run j2sdk-1.4.2-03-linux-i586.bin in /dir1/dir2/dir3 with full path
a,
cd /dir1/dir2/dir3
`pwd`/j2sdk-{PRESS TAB KEY} it will became /dir1/dir2/dir3/j2sdk-1.4.2-03-linux-i586.bin , and hit enter

or
./j2sdk-{PRESS TAB KEY}

[Daan]

You can add a variable to your environment like this:

daan@schmauck:~$ C=/home/daan/code

Then, you can use "C" as a substitute for the long path name like this:

daan@schmauck:~$ echo $C
/home/daan/code
daan@schmauck:~$ cd C
bash: cd: C: No such file or directory
daan@schmauck:~$ cd $C
daan@schmauck:~/code$

Note the need for a $.

There's no need to delete when you're done, your variable will have a limited scope and is gone as soon as you close the terminal window.

[Juan Pablo]

Also, how can I do the same with one of the files listed when I enter the ls command? For example, one of the files I was working with lately was called j2sdk-1.4.2-03-linux-i586.bin, which is a monster of a name to type in manually. Is there a way to save some time and effort here?

Type j2sdk and hit tab, the shell will auto complete the file name, it's also a great way to avoid typos

[serg.kr]

Thanks for the tips!