How do you use absolute vs relative paths with an example?

In Linux, there are two ways to specify the location of files and directories: absolute paths and relative paths. Understanding these two types of paths is essential for navigating the file system effectively.

Absolute Path: An absolute path specifies the complete location of a file or directory from the root directory. It starts with a forward slash (/). For example, the absolute path to a file named 'example.txt' in a directory structure could be:

Relative Path: A relative path specifies the location of a file or directory relative to the current working directory. It does not start with a forward slash. For example, if your current directory is '/home/user', the relative path to 'example.txt' in the 'documents' directory would be:

Using these paths correctly will greatly enhance your efficiency when working with the Linux command line.