This Is Your Brain On Informatics: Linux

Linux Tutorial from Class

Below are listed some common linux commands listed in alphabetical order that have been seen in class along with some others for reference. Syntax of the command is indicated by bracketed information. One common syntax includes [options], which indicates modifications to the command that can be added via a dash followed by an appropriate letter (e.g. -i for the rm command).

Common Linux Commands
Command Name	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.
Exit	Leave an ssh session by typing
file [options] [filename]	Determine what type of data is within a file.
find [pathname] [expression]	Search for files matching a provided pattern. (e.g. typing "find / -name foo will search for a file named "foo" in the entire system)
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.
sudo	Gives super user (administrative) capabilities.
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 (-xzvf)] [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.
wget [url]	Downloads a file from the internet at the specified url.
who [options]	Display who is logged on.