Editing Terminal Guide (section)

== Using Commands ==
Commands follow a simple structure that must be followed to execute the command properly, <font class="code">[command] [option(s)] [*]</font>. All commands are followed by a space if an option is used. Multiple commands can be typed on one line but must be separated by a semicolon.

''Note: adding ‘--help’ after a command will display the command description and options available for that command.''

Some commands require extra information such as a time or path, these come after any options. For example, the <font class="code">shutdown</font> command requires a time indicated for when the shutdown should occur (ex. <font class="code">shutdown -r now</font>).


=== Command History ===
All commands entered are saved in a history that can be quickly accessed by using the '''[UP]''' and '''[DOWN]''' arrow keys on your keyboard. This is helpful when repeating similar commands in a sequence or save time on commands typed frequently. Each press of the '''[UP]''' arrow scrolls through past commands, starting with the most recent; each press of the '''[DOWN]''' arrow advances forward to the next command in your history until the most recent. Once you have reached the most recent entry, pressing the '''[DOWN]''' arrow key once more will exit searching the history, and return you to a blank line to enter a new command. You can execute any command in your history by first navigating with the '''[ARROW]''' keys and pressing '''[ENTER]''' when the command you want to execute is displayed.


=== Recursive History ===
Having a command history is incredibly useful, but since it's displayed in a chronological order, can become difficult to search through after many commands have been entered. Recursive searching helps give you a result of a previous command you used based on the command itself, instead of the time it was entered. For example, using the arrow keys, navigating 50 entries deep to get to a command entered a few days ago would take quite a while. Using recursive search allows you to type the first few letters of the command and search though the entire history at once, bringing up commands that start with those characters until you find the command you are looking for.

To use the recursive search, press the '''[CTRL]''' key and the '''[R]''' key at the same time, then start typing the command you are looking for. Press '''[ENTER]''' when you want to execute that particular command.