CLI

A Command Line Interface (CLI) is a lower-level way of interacting with computers, using text-based commands instead of graphical user interfaces. A CLI allows users to perform various tasks such as navigating directories, executing programs and scripts, managing files and folders, and performing system administration functions like installing software packages or updating operating systems.

CLI tools

The primary CLI tool in Unix-based operating systems is called a Terminal. In Windows operating systems, there are multiple CLI tools, including Command Prompt and Powershell.

A CLI may be preferred by users with more advanced levels of technical expertise to perform complex tasks. Using shell scripting, users can accomplish advanced tasks by piping output from one command directly into another. Users can also create variables and conditional statements in scripting files, which then run a series of CLI commands sequentially.

Operating system support

CLI is widely used across practically all operating systems including Unix-based Linux and macOS, Windows, and even mobile devices running smart operating systems such as Android and iOS. It provides a consistent interface that allows users to perform tasks regardless of the underlying system they are working on. Although commands used to vary greatly (and still does to an extent), command syntax and support has become much more universal in recent years.

Usage in programming

If you are interested in expanding your programming knowledge, becoming comfortable using a Command Line Interface is essential. Many programming languages like Python use the CLI as a primary interface for executing programs, and development ecosystems such as Node JS and NPM rely on the command line for setting up and managing projects. Systems administration also requires command line knowledge as many applications and hardware must have advanced configurations applied through command line tools.