Basic Linux Commands

Command Description

ls Lists all files and directories in the present working directory

ls -R Lists files in sub-directories as well

ls -a Lists hidden files as well

ls -al Lists files and directories with detailed information like permissions,size, owner, etc.

cd or cd ~ Navigate to HOME directory

cd .. Move one level up

cd To change to a particular directory

cd / Move to the root directory

cat > filename Creates a new file

cat filename Displays the file content

cat file1 file2 > file3 Joins two files (file1, file2) and stores the output in a new file (file3)

mv file "new file path" Moves the files to the new location

mv filename new_file_name Renames the file to a new filename

sudo Allows regular users to run programs with the security privileges of the superuser or root

rm filename Deletes a file

man Gives help information on a command

history Gives a list of all past commands typed in the current terminal session

clear Clears the terminal

mkdir directoryname Creates a new directory in the present working directory or a at the specified path

rmdir Deletes a directory

mv Renames a directory

pr -x Divides the file into x columns

pr -h Assigns a header to the file

pr -n Denotes the file with Line Numbers

lp -nc , lpr c Prints “c” copies of the File

?lp-d lp-P

Specifies name of the printer

apt-get

Command used to install and update packages

mail -s 'subject'

-c 'cc-address'

-b 'bcc-address'

'to-address'

Command to send email

mail -s "Subject"

to-address < Filename

Command to send email with attachment