How to Create Directory in Linux | mkdir Command

The mkdir command in Linux stands for “make directory” and is used to create new folders quickly and efficiently from the terminal.

• It helps users organize their files by creating one or multiple directories at once, with options to set permissions and create nested folders easily.
• Used to create new directories within the Linux file system.
• Allows the creation of multiple directories simultaneously in a single command.

Examples

1) How to create a directory in Linux using the `mkdir` command?

To create a single directory, use the following syntax:

For Example: 

If we want to create a directory name "jayesh_gfg".

Syntax:

mkdir jayesh_gfg

• This command creates a directory named "jayesh_gfg" in the current location. You can replace "jayesh_gfg" with any name you prefer.

• Here we have used `ls` command to display all files and directories.

2) How to create a directory with verbose output using `mkdir` command?

If we want to create a directory name "geeksforgeeks" and see verbose at same time. You can enter your directory_name.

Syntax:

mkdir -v geeksforgeeks

Here we have used `ls` command to display all files and directories.

3) How to create multiple directories in Linux using `mkdir` command?

To create multiple directories at once, you can specify multiple directory names separated by spaces:

For Example: 

If we want to create a directory name "jayesh_gfg_1, jayesh_gfg_2, jayesh_gfg_3".

Syntax:

mkdir jayesh_gfg_1 jayesh_gfg_2 jayesh_gfg_3

• This command creates three directories named "jayesh_gfg_1", " jayesh_gfg_2" and "jayesh_gfg_3" in the current location.

Here we have used `ls` command to display all files and directories.

4) How to resolve permission denied error in `mkdir` command?

If you encounter a "permission denied" error while creating a directory, you may not have permission to create directories in that location. To resolve this you can give root access to the user by using "sudo" command.

For Example: 

If we want to create a directory name "geeksforgeek" with "sudo" permission. you can replace "geeksforgeek" directory_name with your directory_name. While using this command it may ask you to enter the password of root.

Syntax:

sudo mkdir geeksforgeek

5) How to Create Directory Using Absolute and Relative Paths

The 'mkdir' command also supports absolute and relative paths. For example:

mkdir /path/to/directory

This command creates a directory named "directory" at the specified absolute path.

mkdir my_folder/sub_folder

This command creates a directory structure with "my_folder" as the parent directory and "sub_folder" as its subdirectory.

Options and their Practical Implementation in mkdir

Syntax of `mkdir` Command in Linux

mkdir [options...] [directory_name]

Here, replace [directory_name] with the desired name of the directory you want to create. Let's delve into the functionality of the 'mkdir' command with various examples.

1) `--help` Option in `mkdir`Command in Linux

It displays help-related information and exits.

Syntax:

mkdir --help

2) `--version` Option in `mkdir`Command in Linux

It displays the version number, some information regarding the license and exits. 

Syntax: 

mkdir --version

3) `-v` or `--verbose` Option in to Create Directory in Linux

It displays a message for every directory created. 

Syntax: 

mkdir -v [directories]

• Here we have used `ls` command to display all files and directories.
• As we can see we have created tow directory with "names = jayeshghg_1 and jayeshgfg_2", replace these names with the directory name you want.

 4) `-p` Option to Create Directory in Linux

A flag which enables the command to create parent directories as necessary. If the directories exist, no error is specified. 

Syntax: 

mkdir -p [directories]

Suppose you execute the following command - 

mkdir -p first/second/third

If the first and second directories do not exist, due to the -p option, mkdir will create these directories for us. If we do not specify the -p option, and request the creation of directories, where parent directory doesn't exist, we will get the following output - 

If we specify the -p option, the directories will be created, and no error will be reported. Following is the output of one such execution. We've also provided the -v option, so that we can see it in action. 

5) `-m` Option to Create Directory in Linux

This option is used to set the file modes, i.e. permissions, etc. for the created directories. The syntax of the mode is the same as the chmod command. 

Syntax: 

mkdir -m a=rwx [directories]

The above syntax specifies that the directories created give access to all the users to read from, write to and execute the contents of the created directories. You can use 'a=r' to only allow all the users to read from the directories and so on. 

Suggested Quiz

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5 Questions

Which command creates a directory named project_data in the current location?

• A

  make project_data

• B

  dir project_data

• C

  mkdir project_data

• D

  newdir project_data

Explanation:

mkdir creates a new directory in the current working path.

Which option allows creation of nested directories even if parent folders don’t exist?

• A

  mkdir -m

• B

  mkdir -p

• C

  mkdir -v

• D

  mdkir -d

Explanation:

mkdir -p creates required parent directories without throwing errors.

You want to see a confirmation message for each directory created. Which option fits?

• A

  mkdir -c

• B

  mkdir -v

• C

  mkdir -s

• D

  mkdir -r

Explanation:

mkdir -v prints a message showing each directory successfully created.

Which command sets custom permissions while creating a directory?

• A

  mkdir -p docs

• B

  mkdir -v docs

• C

  mkdir -m 755 docs

• D

  mkdir docs -r

Explanation:

mkdir -m assigns permissions during creation, similar to chmod syntax.

While creating a directory in a restricted location, you get permission denied. What solves this?

• A

  mkdir -d folder

• B

  mkdir --fix folder

• C

  sudo mkdir folder

• D

  mkdir -force folder

Explanation:

sudo grants elevated rights required to create directories in protected paths.

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