The FTP (File Transfer Protocol) utility program is commonly used for copying files to and from other computers. These computers may be at the same site or at different sites thousands of miles apart. FTP is a general protocol that works on UNIX systems as well as a variety of other (non-UNIX) systems.
Find below a listing of basic FTP commands :
| ? | to request help or information about the FTP commands | |
|---|---|---|
| ascii | to set the mode of file transfer to ASCII (this is the default and transmits seven bits per character) |
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| binary | to set the mode of file transfer to binary (the binary mode transmits all eight bits per byte and thus provides less chance of a transmission error and must be used to transmit files other than ASCII files) |
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| bye | to exit the FTP environment (same as quit) | |
| cd | to change directory on the remote machine | |
| close | to terminate a connection with another computer | |
| close brubeck | closes the current FTP connection with brubeck, but still leaves you within the FTP environment. |
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| delete | to delete (remove) a file in the current remote directory (same as rm in UNIX) | |
| get | to copy one file from the remote machine to the local machine | |
| get ABC DEF | copies file ABC in the current remote directory to (or on top of) a file named DEF in your current local directory. | |
| get ABC | copies file ABC in the current remote directory to (or on top of) a file with the same name, ABC, in your current local directory. | |
| help | to request a list of all available FTP commands | |
| lcd | to change directory on your local machine (same as UNIX cd) | |
| ls | to list the names of the files in the current remote directory | |
| mkdir | to make a new directory within the current remote directory | |
| mget | to copy multiple files from the remote machine to the local machine; you are prompted for a y/n answer before transferring each file |
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| mget * | copies all the files in the current remote directory to your current local directory, using the same filenames. Notice the use of the wild card character, *. | |
| mput | to copy multiple files from the local machine to the remote machine; you are prompted for a y/n answer before transferring each file |
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| open | to open a connection with another computer | |
| open brubeck | opens a new FTP connection with brubeck; you must enter a username and password for a brubeck account (unless it is to be an anonymous connection). |
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| put | to copy one file from the local machine to the remote machine | |
| pwd | to find out the pathname of the current directory on the remote machine | |
| quit | to exit the FTP environment (same as bye) | |
| rmdir | to to remove (delete) a directory in the current remote directory | |