Why do most versions of Linux and Windows use the CD command to change directions?

Answer 1

Both copied the command from Unix. Unix probably copied it from somewhere too.

Answer

When Tim Patterson of Seattle Computer Products was originally contracted by Microsoft to write an operating system for the original IBM PC, he included the 'cd' command to change directories, probably owing to his previous Unix experience. However, we cannot blame Tim for any imperfections in Microsoft DOS or it's evolutionary descendants, the original Microsoft DOS was pulled from Tim long before he was finished with it by Microsoft's Bill Gates in order to demo it for IBM in Boca Raton Florida. [JMH]

Answer 2

How could any key combination, other than perhaps a dedicated key, possibly quickly convey the command to Change the Directory to something else? CD is used often because it is the most obvious way to do so.

Answer 3

No matter what Operating System you use - remember that a computer is only as good as the info put in! In other words - computers are thick! Therefore, the CD command (change directory) has remained as the original computers have evolved to the computers of the modern day. You need to tell the computer what to do and how to do it - so, if the CD command works, there has been no need to change it!

Answer 4

Because it is a short command name, and can be easily be understood to mean "change directory."