# An Illustrated Guide to Shell Magic: Standard I/O & Redirection ## Overview _This guide assumes you have access to the Bash shell on a GNU/Linux computer. Most of the examples use a Raspberry Pi running Raspbian. If you haven't, you should start with [What is this "Linux", anyhow?](../../../what-is-linux), [What is the Command Line?](../../../what-is-the-command-line/overview), and [An Illustrated Shell Command Primer](../../../an-illustrated-shell-command-primer)._ ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/023/269/medium800/raspberry_pi_pngn_magic_hat.png?1424165069) Now that we've covered some basic shell commands, let's shift focus a little and talk about some of the features that bind those commands together into a useful working environment. In this guide, we'll cover: - standard input and output - combining commands with pipes - redirecting output to and from files - standard error and exit codes While these may sound like dry topics, it's here that the command line begins to come into its own as a tool and environment for solving problems. Pull up a terminal and read on! - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/basic-shell-magic/input-and-output.md) ## Featured Products ### Raspberry Pi 2 Model B Starter Pack - Includes a Raspberry Pi 2 [Raspberry Pi 2 Model B Starter Pack - Includes a Raspberry Pi 2](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2380) Why not trick out your fresh new board with some accessories? The Pi 2 is a big deal - a big, big deal.  It has an upgraded ARMv7 multicore procssor and a full Gigabyte of RAM - meaning you're going to see ~2x the performance on processor-upgrade only and 4x on average for... 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No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/553) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/553/guides) ## Related Guides - [Breakout Game on the Metro RP2350 and Fruit Jam](https://learn.adafruit.com/breakout-game-on-metro-rp2350-and-fruit-jam.md) - [Raspberry Pi E-Ink Event Calendar using Python](https://learn.adafruit.com/raspberry-pi-e-ink-desk-calendar-using-python.md) - [Easy NeoPixel Graphics with the CircuitPython Pixel Framebuf Library](https://learn.adafruit.com/easy-neopixel-graphics-with-the-circuitpython-pixel-framebuf-library.md) - [Adafruit Mini PiTFT - Color TFT Add-ons for Raspberry Pi](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-mini-pitft-135x240-color-tft-add-on-for-raspberry-pi.md) - [Adafruit PCF8591 Basic 4 x ADC + DAC Breakout](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-pcf8591-adc-dac.md) - [NFC Raspberry Pi Media Player](https://learn.adafruit.com/nfc-raspberry-pi-media-player.md) - [Step Switch Party](https://learn.adafruit.com/step-switch-party.md) - [A Quick Linux VM on Windows with Vagrant](https://learn.adafruit.com/a-quick-linux-vm-on-windows-with-vagrant.md) - [CircuitPython Libraries on Linux and the NVIDIA Jetson Nano](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-libraries-on-linux-and-the-nvidia-jetson-nano.md) - [OctoPrint on M3D](https://learn.adafruit.com/octoprint-on-m3d.md) - [An Introduction to RP2040 PIO with CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/intro-to-rp2040-pio-with-circuitpython.md) - [Machine Learning 101 with Lobe and BrainCraft](https://learn.adafruit.com/machine-learning-101-lobe-braincraft.md) - [Make a Pi Trash Classifier with Machine Learning and Lobe](https://learn.adafruit.com/lobe-trash-classifier-machine-learning.md) - [Raspberry Pi LED Matrix Sand Toy](https://learn.adafruit.com/matrix-led-sand.md) - [Internet Streaming "On Air" Sign](https://learn.adafruit.com/internet-streaming-on-air-sign.md)