System commands are essential for managing and configuring your operating system efficiently. In the macOS environment, the Terminal app provides a command-line interface that allows users to interact with the system at a deeper level. This article will guide you through some fundamental system commands in macOS, their importance, and how to use them effectively. Whether you're a developer, system administrator, or an advanced user, mastering these commands can significantly enhance your productivity and system management capabilities.

Examples:

1. Navigating the File System:

   • cd (Change Directory): Moves you to a different directory.

     cd /Users/yourusername/Documents

   • ls (List): Lists files and directories in the current directory.

     ls -la

2. Managing Files and Directories:

   • cp (Copy): Copies files or directories.

     cp source.txt destination.txt

   • mv (Move): Moves or renames files or directories.

     mv oldname.txt newname.txt

   • rm (Remove): Deletes files or directories.

     rm filename.txt

3. System Information:

   • top: Displays real-time system statistics.

     top

   • df (Disk Free): Shows disk space usage.

     df -h

   • uname (Unix Name): Displays system information.

     uname -a

4. Networking:

   • ifconfig: Displays network interface configuration.

     ifconfig

   • ping: Checks the network connection to a host.

     ping google.com

5. Process Management:

   • ps (Process Status): Displays information about active processes.

     ps -aux

   • kill: Terminates a process by its PID (Process ID).

     kill -9 PID

6. Permissions:

   • chmod (Change Mode): Changes file permissions.

     chmod 755 script.sh

   • chown (Change Owner): Changes file owner and group.

     sudo chown username:groupname file.txt