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How To Create a New Folder with Administrative Permissions in Terminal?

Ubuntu 8

In this article, we will be discussing how to create a new folder with administrative permissions using the Terminal. This is a common task for system administrators and developers who need to manage files and directories on a server or local machine.

Quick Answer

To create a new folder with administrative permissions in Terminal, use the sudo mkdir command followed by the desired path for the new directory. This command will prompt you to enter your password, and once entered, the new folder will be created.

Understanding Terminal and Administrative Permissions

Before we dive into the steps, it’s important to understand what Terminal and administrative permissions are. The Terminal, also known as Command Line Interface (CLI), is a tool that allows users to interact with the system using text-based commands. Administrative permissions, on the other hand, refer to the rights or privileges that allow a user to perform actions that affect the entire system.

In Linux and Unix-based systems, the root user has administrative permissions. However, to prevent accidental changes that could potentially harm the system, regular users are not given these permissions by default. Instead, they can temporarily elevate their permissions using the sudo command, which stands for “superuser do”.

Creating a New Folder with Administrative Permissions

To create a new folder with administrative permissions, you will use the mkdir command, which stands for “make directory”. This command is followed by the path where you want to create the new directory.

For example, to create a new directory called ‘java’ in the ‘/usr/’ directory, you would use the following command:

sudo mkdir /usr/java

In this command, sudo runs the following command with administrative privileges. mkdir is the command to create a new directory, and /usr/java is the path where the new directory will be created.

After running this command, you will be prompted to enter your password. Once you do, the new directory will be created.

Understanding the Command and its Parameters

Let’s break down the command and its parameters:

  • sudo: This command runs the following command with administrative privileges. It’s necessary to use sudo when making changes to system files or directories, as these are owned by the root user.
  • mkdir: This is the command to create a new directory.
  • /usr/java: This is the path where the new directory will be created. The first slash indicates that ‘usr’ is a directory in the root directory, and ‘java’ is a subdirectory of ‘usr’.

Conclusion

Creating a new folder with administrative permissions in Terminal might seem daunting at first, but once you understand the commands and their parameters, it becomes a straightforward task. Remember to exercise caution when using sudo, as changes made with administrative permissions can significantly affect the system.

For more information on using the Terminal, you can check out the Ubuntu community documentation. For a deeper dive into file permissions and ownership in Linux, the Linux Handbook provides a comprehensive guide.

What is the purpose of creating a new folder with administrative permissions?

Creating a new folder with administrative permissions allows users to perform actions that affect the entire system, such as managing system files and directories.

How do I know if I have administrative permissions?

In Linux and Unix-based systems, the root user has administrative permissions. Regular users can check their permissions by running the id command, which displays their user and group information. If the user ID is 0, it means they have administrative permissions.

Can I create a new folder with administrative permissions without using the Terminal?

No, administrative permissions are typically required to create new folders in system directories, and the Terminal is the recommended tool for performing such actions.

Is it possible to create a new folder with administrative permissions on Windows?

Yes, on Windows, you can create a new folder with administrative permissions by opening the Command Prompt as an administrator and using the mkdir command.

Are there any risks involved in using administrative permissions?

Yes, using administrative permissions carries the risk of accidentally making changes that could harm the system. It is important to exercise caution and only make changes if you are confident in what you are doing.

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