FTP Command-Line Interface Tips

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FTP Command

If you are using a terminal program or a command-line interface to connect
to an FTP server, here are some FTP commands that are helpful to know.

Command Function Examples

ftp Connect to an FTP server
(type this command from within your terminal
program to begin an FTP session) ftp
ftp ftp.servername.com
ftp 123.456.789.012

open Opens a connection with an FTP server
(usually followed by a login prompt) open ftp.servername.com

help OR ? Display a list of commands help

? [command] Display helpful information about a command ? chmod

pwd Display the current directory on the FTP server pwd

cd Change the directory on the FTP server cd www (open the "www" directory)
cd .. (move up one directory)

lcd Chage the directory on your local computer lcd Documents

ls OR dir List the contents of a directory ls

rename Rename a file rename test1.html test2.html

delete Delete a file delete test.html

mkdir Create a new directory mkdir testing

rmdir Remove an existing directory rmdir testing

ascii Set the file transfer mode to ASCII text ascii

binary Set the file transfer mode to Binary binary

get Retrieves a file from the FTP server get test1.php Documents/test2.php

put Sends a file to the FTP server put Documents/test1.php test2.php

mget Retrieves multiple files from the FTP server
(requires "Y" or "N" before downloading each file) mget test1.php test2.php test3.php

mput Sends multiple files to the FTP server
(requires "Y" or "N" before sending each file) mput test1.php test2.php test3.php

close Close the current FTP session close

quit, exit, or bye Exit the FTP program quit

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Command	Function	Examples
ftp	Connect to an FTP server (type this command from within your terminal program to begin an FTP session)	ftp ftp ftp.servername.com ftp 123.456.789.012
open	Opens a connection with an FTP server (usually followed by a login prompt)	open ftp.servername.com
help OR ?	Display a list of commands	help
? [command]	Display helpful information about a command	? chmod
pwd	Display the current directory on the FTP server	pwd
cd	Change the directory on the FTP server	cd www (open the "www" directory) cd .. (move up one directory)
lcd	Chage the directory on your local computer	lcd Documents
ls OR dir	List the contents of a directory	ls
rename	Rename a file	rename test1.html test2.html
delete	Delete a file	delete test.html
mkdir	Create a new directory	mkdir testing
rmdir	Remove an existing directory	rmdir testing
ascii	Set the file transfer mode to ASCII text	ascii
binary	Set the file transfer mode to Binary	binary
get	Retrieves a file from the FTP server	get test1.php Documents/test2.php
put	Sends a file to the FTP server	put Documents/test1.php test2.php
mget	Retrieves multiple files from the FTP server (requires "Y" or "N" before downloading each file)	mget test1.php test2.php test3.php
mput	Sends multiple files to the FTP server (requires "Y" or "N" before sending each file)	mput test1.php test2.php test3.php
close	Close the current FTP session	close
quit, exit, or bye	Exit the FTP program	quit