Command |
Description |
cat [filename] |
Display file’s contents to the standard output device (usually your monitor). |
cd /directorypath |
Change to directory. |
chmod [options] mode filename |
Change a file’s permissions. |
chown [options] filename |
Change who owns a file. |
clear |
Clear a command line screen/window for a fresh start. |
cp [options] source destination |
Copy files and directories. |
date [options] |
Display or set the system date and time. |
df [options] |
Display used and available disk space. |
du [options] |
Show how much space each file takes up. |
file [options] filename |
Determine what type of data is within a file. |
find [pathname] [expression] |
Search for files matching a provided pattern. |
grep [options] pattern [filesname] |
Search files or output for a particular pattern. |
kill [options] pid |
Stop a process. If the process refuses to stop, use kill -9 pid. |
less [options] [filename] |
View the contents of a file one page at a time. |
ln [options] source [destination] |
Create a shortcut. |
locate filename |
Search a copy of your filesystem for the specified filename. |
lpr [options] |
Send a print job. |
ls [options] |
List directory contents. |
man [command] |
Display the help information for the specified command. |
mkdir [options] directory |
Create a new directory. |
mv [options] source destination |
Rename or move file(s) or directories. |
passwd [name [password]] |
Change the password or allow (for the system administrator) to change any password. |
ps [options] |
Display a snapshot of the currently running processes. |
pwd |
Display the pathname for the current directory. |
rm [options] directory |
Remove (delete) file(s) and/or directories. |
rmdir [options] directory |
Delete empty directories. |
ssh [options] user@machine |
Remotely log in to another Linux machine, over the network. Leave an ssh session by typing exit. |
su [options] [user [arguments]] |
Switch to another user account. |
tail [options] [filename] |
Display the last n lines of a file (the default is 10). |
tar [options] filename |
Store and extract files from a tarfile (.tar) or tarball (.tar.gz or .tgz). |
top |
Displays the resources being used on your system. Press q to exit. |
touch filename |
Create an empty file with the specified name. |
who [options] |
Display who is logged on. |