Common FTP Commands
| ? | to request help or information about the FTP commands | |
|---|---|---|
| ascii | to set the mode of file transfer to ASCII (this is the default and transmits seven bits per character) |
|
| binary | to set the mode of file transfer to binary (the binary mode transmits all eight bits per byte and thus provides less chance of a transmission error and must be used to transmit files other than ASCII files) |
|
| bye | to exit the FTP environment (same as quit) | |
| cd | to change directory on the remote machine | |
| close | to terminate a connection with another computer | |
| close brubeck | closes the current FTP connection with brubeck, but still leaves you within the FTP environment. |
|
| delete | to delete (remove) a file in the current remote directory (same as rm in UNIX) | |
| get | to copy one file from the remote machine to the local machine | |
| get ABC DEF | copies file ABC in the current remote directory to (or on top of) a file named DEF in your current local directory. | |
| get ABC | copies file ABC in the current remote directory to (or on top of) a file with the same name, ABC, in your current local directory. | |
| help | to request a list of all available FTP commands | |
| lcd | to change directory on your local machine (same as UNIX cd) | |
| ls | to list the names of the files in the current remote directory | |
| mkdir | to make a new directory within the current remote directory | |
| mget | to copy multiple files from the remote machine to the local machine; you are prompted for a y/n answer before transferring each file |
|
| mget * | copies all the files in the current remote directory to your current local directory, using the same filenames. Notice the use of the wild card character, *. | |
| mput | to copy multiple files from the local machine to the remote machine; you are prompted for a y/n answer before transferring each file |
|
| open | to open a connection with another computer | |
| open brubeck | opens a new FTP connection with brubeck; you must enter a username and password for a brubeck account (unless it is to be an anonymous connection). |
|
| put | to copy one file from the local machine to the remote machine | |
| pwd | to find out the pathname of the current directory on the remote machine | |
| quit | to exit the FTP environment (same as bye) | |
| rmdir | to to remove (delete) a directory in the current remote directory | |
Connect FTP Via Command Prompt On Windows
This is an old method. Most person have FTP Clients like Filezilla or WS-FTP or CuteFTP to connect ftp servers. But what if there is an emergency and you have none of them. So here all you gonna need.
HOW TO CONNECT FTP VIA COMMAND PROMPT IN WINDOWS
1. First of all open command prompt by following “Start > All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt” or simply use keyboard shurtcut “Windows + R” ( Sheme 1 )
2. Type “ftp” and press “Enter” ( Sheme 1 )
Sheme 1
3. Following screen will prompt to “ftp>”, so now we can use ftp commands to access our server. To open a connection we use “open” command. Type “open” and press “Enter” ( Sheme 2 )
Sheme 2
4. Now Ftp Prompt says “to”. This means you’ve to put destination here. Put the destination to your ftp server end press “Enter”. Ex: ftp.example.com ( Sheme 3 )
Sheme 3
5. Now check out Sheme 3 and see prompt asks for username. Put your Ftp Username and press “Enter” and of course password and press “Enter”
P.S. If something goes wrong with login you can always go back to login part with command “user” ( Sheme 4)
6. And we have accessed to our FTP Server. ( Sheme 4)
Sheme 4
Basic commands explained below:
“dir” : Basic DOS listing command.
“ls” : Similar to DOS command “dir”. Lists files for current directory without details.
“cd” : To change current directory with another one
“cd ..” : Up one directory ( DO NOT forget “blank” between “cd” and “..” )
“send” : Uploads a file from local to server
“get” : Download file from server to local
“bye” : Disconnects from server and quits FTP Prompt
A full list for Ftp commands will be in next chapter.
Hope will be usefull for all.
Which FTP program is better?
In todays days, there are a lot of FTP programs out there. First comes first, if you don’t know what is FTP and How it works, then I suggest you take a look at my What is FTP and How Does It Work article.
An FTP program allows you to manage your FTP connection between you and your host in a secure and easy way. Of course when I say secure and easy way I mean WS_FTP program is one of the best programs out there. I am not affiliated with this company or anything, I just find it very easy to use.
Which FTP Program should I use to Upload my files?
As 2-create-a-website.com; you should use WS_FTP if you have just started to learn basic needs of it. This program allows you to do many things in a very simple way. Nothing very frustrating, you should give it a try. Even if you don’t have any idea about it, just open it up and install. When you establish a connection between your computer and your host, even if you don’t know what FTP stands for, you can simply figure out everything by taking a simple glance at the program! YES! It is that easy to figure out what it is and how to use it.
What is FTP and How Does it Work?
First of all, what is FTP?
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is the simplest and most secure way to exchange files over the Internet. Whether you know it or not, you most likely use FTP all the time. More simple or my definition for FTP is, “To Transfer one file from a computer to another.”
In our case, it is used to transfer our files to the host computer, you can use a FTP Program to make it easy and simple. For example the WS_FTP Program is one of the easiest programs to use.
How does it work?
There is basically 5 steps to performing FTP.
Step 1: Establish a connection to the Internet. (Just as you would if you were browsing) Step 2: Start the program WS_FTP. (You can find this program in the Start menu, under All Programs, in the program group called IPSwitch Ws_ftp). Step 3: Establish a connection to a file resource. (You may need to create a connection profile if this is the first time that you have used WS FTP) Step 4; Download or Upload your files Step 5: End the Session
How do I use FTP on Internet Explorer?
First, if you are using IE 7 or higher, you can’t use it to transfer your website files to the host computer. However, you can still use the normal system, it’s easy and simple, instead of openning Internet Explorer page, open up My Documents, or My computer and follow the steps from Step #2.
#1- Open up Internet Explorer Browser.
#2-Go to the adress bar and type: ftp://you-website-name.com
#3-Enter your FTP Client pass.
#4-If you are using Windows hosting, go to the folder named HTTPDOCS / If you are a Linux user go to Public_Html folder.
#5-Upload your files to this directory. After you are done, go to http://www.you-website-name.com and check out what you just uploaded.
