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Glite Dictionary
command line

command line

8 4.8
A place where you type text commands to control a computer
  • noun
  • /kəˈmænd laɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : línea de comandos
  • By typing a command in the command line, users can control the computer without a graphical interface.
  • command line tools
  • command line arguments

There have to be basic editors that you can use from either the command line or a GUI just for administering systems.

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Examples

  • For Subversion operations, I use a mixture of the command line and Cornerstone.

    Blog text (15)

  • Many developers prefer using the command line to automate tasks and manage files efficiently.

  • I also never had to touch the command line in Windows.

    Blog text (15)

  • If you work on the command line at all, you might be interested in checking it out.

    Blog text (9)

  • The first IBM and Apple computers ran text based command line operating systems.

  • So I go to the command line and type in ribbon, and I get an error:

    Blog text (9)

  • The learning curve of the command line is a little steep; I'll give you that.

    Blog text (14)

  • The other downside of Git is that some folks are afraid of command line tools for some reason.

    Blog text (14)

  • Also, if you have command line phobia, there are plenty of distros made specifically for netbooks.

    Blog text (15)

  • You can enter commands directly into the command line to run programs quickly.

Synonyms

terminal
vscommand line
  • Specialized
57 5.7

A device with a screen and keyboard for using a computer

is specifically the typed text method of interacting rather than the device or program
CLI
vscommand line
  • Specialized
3 7.9

A program where you type commands to control a computer

is the same interaction but written out as full words
command prompt
vscommand line
  • Specialized
2 4.2

A line on the screen that shows the computer is ready for you to type a command

is the typed text interaction itself, not merely a readiness indicator
command line interface
vscommand line
  • Specialized
1 6.7

A way to control a computer by typing text instructions

is the shorter name for the same typed text interaction
TTY
vscommand line
  • Specialized
1 9.0

A simple text screen for typing commands on a Unix or Linux computer

is the general typed text interaction not limited to a specific system family

How Technical

system program
  • Specialized
3.4
command line
  • Specialized
8 4.8
graphical user interface
  • Specialized
2 4.0
menu
  • Specialized
117 1.2

Surface Forms

command line singular
command lines plural

Morphology

command + line

The meaning 'a place/interface where commands are entered' is directly and compositionally built from 'command' (an instruction) + 'line' (a single text channel or row), so the concept of a 'command line' as the line for typing commands is inferable. This noun–noun compounding is common in computing and has close equivalents in many languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will likely understand it.

Etymology

Command line comes from the image of typing a command on a single line of text on the screen. You type short orders to tell the computer 'to run programs' or 'do tasks', so command line means working by typing instead of using the mouse and menus.