How to Create a New Directory in Bash

Creating a new directory in Bash is a straightforward process that can be accomplished using the mkdir command. This command stands for "make directory" and allows you to create one or more directories in the file system.

Basic Syntax of the mkdir Command

The basic syntax for the mkdir command is as follows:

mkdir [options] directory_name

In this syntax:

  • directory_name is the name of the directory you want to create.
  • [options] are optional flags that modify the behavior of the command.

Example of Creating a New Directory

Here’s a simple example of creating a new directory:

mkdir my_new_directory

In this example:

  • The command creates a new directory named my_new_directory in the current working directory.

Creating Multiple Directories

You can also create multiple directories at once by specifying their names separated by spaces:

mkdir dir1 dir2 dir3

In this example:

  • The command creates three new directories: dir1, dir2, and dir3.

Creating Parent Directories

If you want to create a directory along with its parent directories, you can use the -p option:

mkdir -p parent_directory/child_directory

In this example:

  • The command creates parent_directory and child_directory inside it. If parent_directory already exists, it will not raise an error.

Checking if a Directory Exists

Before creating a directory, you might want to check if it already exists to avoid errors. You can do this using an if statement:

#!/bin/bash
dir_name="my_new_directory"

if [ ! -d "$dir_name" ]; then
    mkdir "$dir_name"
    echo "Directory '$dir_name' created."
else
    echo "Directory '$dir_name' already exists."
fi

In this example:

  • The script checks if the directory my_new_directory exists using the -d flag.
  • If the directory does not exist, it creates it and prints a confirmation message.
  • If the directory already exists, it prints a message indicating that.

Conclusion

Creating a new directory in Bash is a simple task that can be accomplished using the mkdir command. By understanding the basic syntax and options available, you can efficiently manage your file system and organize your files into directories. Whether you are creating a single directory or multiple directories at once, the mkdir command is a fundamental tool in Bash scripting and command-line operations.