Beginner’s guide to the mkdir command on Linux

The mkdir command in UNIX/Linux systems is an essential tool for managing directories. Used to create one or more directories (also known as folders in some operating systems), mkdir helps users organize their file structure efficiently. Here’s a detailed look at various ways to use this command, along with practical examples to aid understanding.

Syntax of the Mkdir Command

The basic syntax for the mkdir command is:

mkdir [options] directory_name

Creating a New Directory

To create a simple directory in the current working directory, use:

mkdir new_directory

This command will create a directory named new_directory in the current working directory.

Creating Multiple Directories

To create several directories at once, list the directory names separated by spaces:

mkdir directory1 directory2 directory3

This command will create three directories: directory1, directory2, and directory3.

Creating Multiple Directories Using Special Characters

If directory names include special characters, such as spaces, use quotes or the escape character \:

mkdir "directory with spaces" directory_with_special\_characters

Creating a New Directory in a Desired Location

To create a directory in a specific location, provide the full path:

mkdir /path/to/directory/new_directory

Creating a New Directory in Two Different Locations

To create a directory in two different locations, specify each path:

mkdir /path1/new_directory /path2/new_directory

Creating Multiple Directories Using Special Characters at Your Desired Location

Similarly, special characters can be used in the path:

mkdir /path/"directory with spaces"/new_directory

Ignoring the Error if the Specified Directory Already Exists

To avoid the “File exists” error if the directory already exists, use the -p option:

mkdir -p existing_directory

Creating a Parent Directory While Creating a New Directory

To create a directory along with all necessary parent directories, use the -p option:

mkdir -p /path/parent/new_directory

Creating a Subdirectory Inside the Newly Created Directories

To create a subdirectory inside a newly created directory:

mkdir -p /path/directory/new_subdirectory

Printing the Directory Name While Creating

To print the directory name upon creation, combine mkdir with echo or printf:

mkdir new_directory && echo "New directory created: new_directory"

Setting Permissions While Creating a New Directory

To set permissions while creating a directory, use chmod after creation:

mkdir new_directory && chmod 755 new_directory

Conclusion

The mkdir command in Linux is a powerful and flexible tool for directory management. Whether you need to create simple, multiple, or specifically located directories, understanding the various options and syntax can significantly improve efficiency in file and directory management. With this knowledge, Linux users can better customize their file structure according to their needs.