Moving the Cursor on the Command Line

The following table shows the key combinations or sequences to move the command line cursor. Ctrl defines the control key, which must be pressed simultaneously with its associated letter key. Esc means the escape key (which must be pressed first), followed by its associated letter key. Keys are not case sensitive. Specific letters are used to provide an easy way of remembering their functions. The bold characters indicate the relation between a letter and its function.

Table: Keystrokes Details 

Keystrokes

Function Summary

Function Details

Left Arrow

or

Ctrl-B

Back character

Moves the cursor one character to the left

When entering a command that extends beyond a single line, press the Left Arrow or Ctrl-B keys repeatedly to move back to the system prompt.

Right Arrow or Ctrl-F

Forward character

Moves the cursor one character to the right

Esc- B

Back word

Moves the cursor back one word

Esc- F

Forward word

Moves the cursor forward one word

Ctrl-A

Beginning of line

Moves the cursor to the beginning of the command line

Ctrl-E

End of line

Moves the cursor to the end of the command line

Ctrl-D

 

Deletes the current character

Ctrl-U

 

Deletes text up to cursor

Ctrl-K

 

Deletes from the cursor to end of the line

Ctrl-P

 

Obtains the prior command from memory

Ctrl-N

 

Obtains the next command from memory

Esc-C

 

Converts the letter at the cursor to uppercase

Esc-L

 

Converts the letter at the cursor to lowercase

Esc-D

 

Deletes the remainder of a word

Ctrl-W

 

Deletes the word up to the cursor

Ctrl-Z

 

Returns to the root prompt

Ctrl-T

 

Transposes the character to the left of the cursor with the character located at the cursor

Ctrl-L

 

Clears the screen