Linux command line

The Linux command line takes user commands from a keyboard and gives them to the computer to perform.

Common Commands

Navigation

• pwd - Shows the working directory
• ls - Lists files in working directory
  • ls -a - show hidden files
• cd - Change working directory
• less - View text files
• file - Specifies files contents

Manipulating Files

• cp - Copy files and directories
• mv - Rename or move files or directories
• rm - Remove files and directories
• mkdir - Create directory
• cat - Display a file

Manipulating Processes

• ps aux - To see what processes are running
• tail - Show a file and the changes to it
• fg - Bring a background process to the foreground
• ctrl-c - Stop the current command

Assistance Commands

• type - Display information about command type
• which - Locate a command
• help - Display reference page for shell commands
• man - Display on-line command reference