Challenge your knowledge of advanced terminal shortcuts, command-line tricks, and essential CLI tool techniques. This quiz focuses on productivity-enhancing keys, shell features, and efficient command chaining strategies for frequent command-line users.
Which keyboard shortcut recalls the last command in the terminal that began with a specific string, such as typing 'git' and then using the shortcut to retrieve the most recent 'git' command?
Explanation: Ctrl+R activates reverse incremental search in the terminal history, allowing you to type 'git' and instantly recall the last command starting with that string. Ctrl+S can trigger forward search but is often blocked by terminal flow control. Ctrl+P simply moves up the command history and does not perform incremental searches. Ctrl+Q is typically used to resume terminal output and is unrelated to history search.
In a typical terminal, what is the shortcut to move the cursor instantly to the beginning of the current command line while editing it?
Explanation: Ctrl+A moves the cursor to the beginning of the command line, making edits at the start quick and efficient. Ctrl+L clears the terminal screen but does not change the cursor position in the line. Ctrl+Z suspends the current foreground process. Ctrl+E moves the cursor to the end of the line, not the beginning.
Which operator allows you to execute multiple commands in one line, ensuring the second command executes only if the first succeeds, such as 'build && deploy'?
Explanation: The '&&' operator executes the second command only if the first returns a zero exit status, ensuring chained actions run conditionally on success. '||' executes the next command only if the first fails. ';' runs both commands regardless of the outcome of the first. '&' backgrounds the first command rather than controlling sequence based on success or failure.
When working in the terminal, which command sequence quickly sends you back to your home directory, regardless of your current location, using a single shortcut or command?
Explanation: cd ~ takes you directly to your home directory, regardless of your current directory location. cd .. moves you up one directory level, not necessarily back home. cd - switches you to your previous working directory, not the home. cd / navigates to the root directory, which is different from the home directory.
Which keyboard shortcut deletes the word directly before the cursor during command-line editing in many terminals?
Explanation: Ctrl+W deletes the word to the left of the cursor, making editing commands much faster. Ctrl+D deletes the character under the cursor, not a whole word. Ctrl+U clears everything from the cursor to the beginning of the line. Ctrl+K removes everything from the cursor to the end of the line.