command line to open a window

Question

using command line, how can i open a window containing the folder?

I am looking for a unix command similar to Mac:

$> open /tmp

That command will open /tmp in an (UI) window.

So what's the equivalent in linux? I am currently using Debian.

Answer 1

To open a folder (or any type of file/URL) with the preferred application in a Desktop Environment independent way, use xdg-open:

xdg-open /tmp

Answer 2

In Ubuntu, with Gnome, you'd do

nautilus /tmp

Under KDE, I guess you'd do

konqueror /tmp

This blog post talks about alternatives to nautilus and konqueror.