How do I use FTP?

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6.3. How do I use FTP?

Using FTP is similar to using UNIX. Some of FTP's commands (such as cd, pwd, and ls) work just as their UNIX counterparts do. This is great news if you're already familiar with UNIX, because there isn't much new to learn. Even if you don't use UNIX, don't cringe; you'll find FTP is trivial to use.

To use FTP, you need the FTP program on your local host, and you need to know where you want to connect. On my system, I start FTP by typing (stay with me, now) ftp, and then I open a connection by typing open followed by a site name.

Note: You can also type ftp sitename, thereby combining the tasks of starting the FTP program and opening a site. For example, to connect to netcom's FTP server, type ftp ftp.netcom.com.

If you're FTPing to your own account (that is, you're using full-privilege FTP instead of anonymous FTP), enter your own username and password at the prompt. On systems that allow anonymous FTP access, use the username anonymous. You'll probably be asked to enter a password, too. When prompted for a password, type your e-mail address. This isn't always necessary, but it's a courtesy to site administrators who like to know who is using their facility. Some sites require a valid e-mail address before you'll be allowed in, but most don't. On some systems you must use the generic password "guest" rather than an e-mail address.

Note: A neat trick: many FTP programs can automatically append your hostname if you just enter your username followed by the @ without any further information (for instance, savetz@) I don't know if that's useful, but it can save a wee bit of strain on those fingers.

Be careful not to enter your own account's password when logging on to an anonymous FTP site. You should enter your e-mail address or, in some cases, the word guest.

Note: In true password style, you won't see the password on the screen when you log in with FTP, even when you're just entering your e-mail address for a password using anonymous FTP.

Here's an example of starting an FTP session.

$ ftp is.internic.net
Connected to is.internic.net.
220-
220-    ****************************************************
220-    **                                                **
220-    **  Welcome to the Internic InfoGuide Archive     **
220-    **                                                **
220-    ****************************************************
220-
220-
220-
220 is FTP server (Version wu-2.4(2) Thu Apr 14 13:25:36 PDT 1994) ready.
Name (is.internic.net:waffle): anonymous
331 Guest login ok, send your complete e-mail address as password.
Password:
230-
230-Logged Access from: bolero.rahul.net
230-
230-IMPORTANT NOTE:
230----------------
230-If you have problems accessing this archive:
230-Try using a dash (-) as the first character of your password
230-This will turn off the continuation messages that may
230-be confusing your ftp client.
230-
230 Guest login ok, access restrictions apply.
ftp>

Although FTP's commands look a lot like UNIX commands, there are a few commands needed in FTP that don't exist in UNIX itself. The first command with which to become familiar is help, which should list the FTP commands available on your system.

Once you're connected, you will be able to navigate the remote system's directory and transfer files. Here are the commands for moving around directories:

***PROOFREADERS: There is supposed to be a space between cd and /.

cd. With the cd command you can change your directory on the remote computer. Typing cd /pub/games will change your current directory to /pub/games. Typing cd .. (that's two dots) will move you up one directory--for instance, from /pub/games back to /pub. If your FTP host is running on a UNIX system, you can also type cdup to move up a directory; on VMS hosts, you can type cd [-].

Note: Typically, all the interesting stuff on anonymous FTP site is in a directory called pub (which stands for public).

lcd. Stands for local change directory, and allows you to change your current directory on your local host. It doesn't affect what directory you're using at the FTP site. If you decide that you want the next file you retrieve to end up in the directory /usr/potato on your system, you can type lcd /usr/potato.
pwd. Shows your present working directory on the FTP site.
lpwd. This cryptic-sounding command means local present working directory and will tell you your present directory on your local system.
ls or dir. These commands list the files on your current directory on the remote computer. I like the output from dir better than from ls, but take your pick. Most systems let you use UNIX-style wildcards with these commands; for example, dir inter* will list all the files whose names start with inter.

Use these commands when you're through with FTP:

close. Typing close disconnects you from the remote FTP host, but leaves you in the FTP program so that you can connect to another site.
quit. Type quit to disconnect from the remote host and leave the FTP program.

Note: Is it a noun? Is it a verb? Both, sort of. Although my eighth grade grammar teacher would cringe at the thought, I (along with everyone else on the Internet) use FTP interchangeably as a noun and a verb. "How do I use FTP?," "Hey! FTP to sunsite," and "Have you FTPed my spreadsheet yet?" are all understood. Don't let this confuse you; just remember that any noun can be verbed.

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