.. highlight:: console

.. role:: bash(code)
   :language: bash
   :class: highlight

Command history
---------------

The command line looks quite primitive but has several features which
allow you to work very efficiently. One of the most useful is the
:dfn:`command history`.  

- Run some commands from the last session, like :bash:`ls`, :bash:`cd`
  or :bash:`find`, then use the up and down arrows to avoid
  re-typing. 

- Go back in the command history and press :kbd:`Ctrl-o`. What
  happens? If you have to repeat sequences of commands, this can be
  very handy!

.. TODO ACTIVATE THIS
  %% Try pressing \kbd{Ctrl-r} and typing a few consecutive characters
  from a co  mmand
  %% you've uased recently: what happens? Try pressing \kbd{Ctrl-r} again a few times.
  %% \footnote{\kbd{Ctrl-s} does the same thing, but going forwards. It tends to not
  %%   work by default, though: you have to tweak your shell configuration using \inp{stty -ixon}}
  %% Try typing \inp{!}, followed by the first few letters of a recent command.

What does :command:`history` do? ::

  $ man history

will tell you more than you'll ever need to use. 

What's in the file :file:`~/.bash_history`? You can re-write history
if you want.