10 Most Important Linux
Commands
1. ls
The ls command - the list command - functions in the Linux
terminal to show all of the major directories filed under a given file system.
For example, the command:
ls /applications
...will show the user all of the folders stored in the
overall applications folder.
The ls command is used for viewing files, folders and
directories.
2. cd
The cd command - change directory - will allow the user to
change between file directories. As the name command name suggest, you would
use the cd command to circulate between two different directories. For example,
if you wanted to change from the home directory to the Nik directory, you would
input the following command:
cd/nik/applications
As you might have noted, the path name listed lists in
reverse order. Logically cd/nik/applications reads change to the nik directory
which is stored in the applications directory. All Linux commands follow a
logical path.
3. mv
The mv command - move - allows a user to move a file to
another folder or directory. Just like dragging a file located on a PC desktop
to a folder stored within the "Documents" folder, the mv command
functions in the same manner. An example of the mv command is:
mv/nik/applications/majorapps /nik/applications/minorapps
The first part of the command mv/nik/applications/majorapps
lists the application to be moved. In this case, nik. The second part of the
command /nik/applications/minorapps lists where nik will be moved to - from
majorapps to minorapps.
4. man
The man command - the manual command - is used to show the
manual of the inputted command. Just like a film on the nature of film, the man
command is the meta command of the Linux CLI. Inputting the man command will
show you all information about the command you are using. An example:
man cd
The inputting command will show the manual or all relevant
information for the change directory command.
5. mkdir
The mkdir - make directory - command allows the user to make
a new directory. Just like making a new directory within a PC or Mac desktop
environment, the mkdir command makes new directories in a Linux environment. An
example of the mkdir command
mkdir testdirectory
The example command made the directory
"testdirectory".
6. rmdir
The rmdir - remove directory - command allows the user to
remove an existing command using the Linux CLI. An example of the rmdir
command:
rmdir testdirectory
The example command removed the directory
"testdirectory".
It should be noted: both the mkdir and rmdir commands make
and remove directories. They do not make files and they will also not remove a
directory which has files in it. The mkdir will make an empty directory and the
rmdir command will remove an empty directory.
7. touch
The touch command - a.k.a. the make file command - allows
users to make files using the Linux CLI. Just as the mkdir command makes
directories, the touch command makes files. Just as you would make a .doc or a
.txt using a PC desktop, the touch command makes empty files. An example of the
touch command:
touch testfile.txt
The example touch command effectively created the file
testfile.txt. As noted by the extension, the file created is a .txt or text
file. To equate, a .txt file in Linux is akin to a .txt notebook file within a
Windows or Mac OS.
8. rm
The rm command - remove - like the rmdir command is meant to
remove files from your Linux OS. Whereas the rmdir command will remove
directories and files held within, the rm command will delete created files. An
example of the rm command:
rm testfile.txt
The aforementioned command removed testfile.txt.
Interestingly, whereas the rmdir command will only delete an empty directory,
the rm command will remove both files and directories with files in it. This
said, the rm command carries more weight than the rmdir command and should be
used with more specificity.
9. locate
The locate - a.k.a. find - command is meant to find a file
within the Linux OS. If you don't know the name of a certain file or you aren't
sure where the file is saved and stored, the locate command comes in handy. A
locate command example:
locate -i *red*house**city*
The stated command will locate an file with the a file name
containing "Red", "House" and "City". A note on
the input: the use of "-i" tells the system to search for a file
unspecific of capitalization (Linux functions in lower case). The use of the
asterik "*" signifies searching for a wildcard. A wildcard tells the
system to pull any and all files containing the search criteria.
By specifying -i with wildcards, the locate CLI command will
pull back all files containing your search criteria effectivley casting the
widest search net the system will allow.
10. clear
The clear command does exactly what it says. When your Linux
CLI gets all mucked up with various readouts and information, the clear command
clears the screen and wipes the board clean. Using the clear command will take
the user back to the start prompt of whatever directory you are currently
operating in. To use the clear command simply type clear.
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