Introduction to CLI & Cloud CLI Tools
Published: 2023-10-01 09:18:01

Are you familiar with the CMD or Terminal interface 
![Window CMD](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/o9u8mlc8hjs255spylor.png)


![MacBook Terminal](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/iyvivef1llfmrlpuwisk.png)

**What is CLI?**
CLI which stands for "Command-Line Interface," is a text-based user interface used to interact with computer systems and software by entering text commands into a terminal or console. A CLI is a versatile and efficient way to perform various tasks, automate processes, and manage computer systems.

**Type of CLI**
 

## 
Operating System Terminals:

- 
Windows Command Prompt: This is the default command-line interface for Microsoft Windows. Users can access it by running cmd or cmd.exe.
  

- Windows PowerShell: PowerShell is an advanced CLI for Windows with powerful scripting capabilities.
  

- Linux Terminal: On Linux-based operating systems, users can use terminals like GNOME Terminal, Konsole, or the default terminal emulator of the respective desktop environment.
  

- 
macOS Terminal: macOS provides a terminal application for accessing the command-line interface.

2. Web-Based Terminals:
Some cloud providers and web services offer web-based terminals that allow users to interact with virtual machines, containers, or cloud resources through a browser. Examples include AWS CloudShell, Google Cloud Shell, and Azure Cloud Shell.

3. SSH Terminals:

Secure Shell (SSH) is a protocol that allows secure remote access to servers and systems. Users can connect to remote servers using SSH clients and interact with CLIs on the remote machines.

4. Integrated Development Environment (IDE) Terminals:

Many code editors and integrated development environments, such as Visual Studio Code (VS Code), offer integrated terminals. These terminals are often used by developers for running commands and scripts while coding.
Serial Terminals:

Serial terminals are used for communicating with embedded systems and devices that use serial communication. Terminal programs like PuTTY and Tera Term are commonly used for this purpose.

5. Database Terminals:

Database management systems (DBMS) often provide command-line interfaces for querying and managing databases. For example, MySQL and PostgreSQL have their own CLIs for database administration.

_In an advance way_
 
Specialized Terminals:
Some specialized applications and tools may include their own custom CLIs, accessible through dedicated terminals or consoles.

In a CLI environment, users typically enter commands, arguments, and options to interact with software, perform system tasks, run scripts, and manage files and directories. The output of these commands is displayed in the same terminal, making it a powerful tool for system administration, software development, and automation.

CLIs are known for their efficiency, flexibility, and scriptability, which make them valuable for a wide range of tasks, including server administration, software deployment, data manipulation, and more.


**What is Cloud CLI?**
Cloud CLI (Command-Line Interface) refers to a command-line tool or interface provided by cloud service providers to interact with their cloud platforms and services. It allows users to manage, configure, and monitor cloud resources and services using text-based commands and scripts.




## Advantage of Using Cloud CLI Platform  



**Text-Based Commands**: A Cloud CLI allows users to perform various operations on cloud resources by entering text-based commands in a terminal or command prompt. These commands are typically designed to be human-readable and follow a specific syntax.

**Automation**: Cloud CLIs are essential for automation, enabling developers and administrators to script and automate repetitive tasks and workflows. This can include provisioning virtual machines, deploying applications, configuring networking, and more.

**Resource Management**: With a Cloud CLI, users can create, update, delete, and manage cloud resources such as virtual machines, databases, storage, containers, and more. It provides granular control over cloud infrastructure.

**Access Control**: Cloud CLIs often provide tools for managing access control and security settings. This includes user and group management, authentication, authorization, and setting permissions on resources.

**Scripting**: Cloud CLIs can be used in scripts and automation workflows to orchestrate complex cloud operations. This scripting capability is valuable for DevOps practices and infrastructure as code (IaC) approaches.

**Cross-Platform**: Most Cloud CLIs are designed to work on multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and various Linux distributions. This ensures that users can interact with cloud services regardless of their choice of development environment.

**Integration**: Cloud CLIs are often used in conjunction with other tools and platforms. They can be integrated into continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, configuration management systems, and monitoring solutions.

Next post: Console vs CLI Platform