Basic Linux Commands¶
Introduction¶
Linux commands provide the most powerful way to interact with the operating system. Learning these commands is essential for navigating and managing a Linux environment efficiently. This guide covers some of the most commonly used basic Linux commands.
Navigating the File System¶
pwd¶
The pwd command (print working directory) displays the current working directory.
pwd
ls¶
The ls command lists files and directories in the current directory.
ls
Options:
- ls -l: Detailed list
- ls -a: Show hidden files
cd¶
The cd command (change directory) allows you to move between directories.
cd /path/to/directory
mkdir¶
The mkdir command (make directory) creates a new directory.
mkdir new_directory
rmdir¶
The rmdir command (remove directory) deletes an empty directory.
rmdir directory_name
rm¶
The rm command (remove) deletes files or directories.
rm file_name
Options:
- rm -r directory_name: Recursively delete a directory and its contents
File Operations¶
cp¶
The cp command (copy) copies files or directories.
cp source_file destination_file
Options:
- cp -r source_directory destination_directory: Recursively copy a directory
mv¶
The mv command (move) moves or renames files or directories.
mv old_name new_name
cat¶
The cat command (concatenate) displays the contents of a file.
cat file_name
less¶
The less command displays the contents of a file one page at a time.
less file_name
head¶
The head command displays the first few lines of a file.
head file_name
tail¶
The tail command displays the last few lines of a file.
tail file_name
Options:
- tail -f file_name: Follow the file as it grows
Managing Processes¶
ps¶
The ps command (process status) displays information about running processes.
ps
Options:
- ps aux: Detailed process list
top¶
The top command displays a dynamic, real-time view of running processes.
top
kill¶
The kill command terminates a process.
kill process_id
Options:
- kill -9 process_id: Forcefully terminate a process
Permissions¶
chmod¶
The chmod command (change mode) changes file or directory permissions.
chmod permissions file_name
Example:
- chmod 755 file_name: Read, write, execute for owner; read, execute for group and others
chown¶
The chown command (change owner) changes the ownership of a file or directory.
chown owner:group file_name
Networking¶
ifconfig¶
The ifconfig command configures network interfaces.
ifconfig
ping¶
The ping command checks connectivity to a network host.
ping host_name_or_ip
netstat¶
The netstat command displays network connections, routing tables, and interface statistics.
netstat
Package Management (Debian-based systems)¶
apt-get¶
The apt-get command installs, updates, and removes packages.
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install package_name
sudo apt-get remove package_name
apt¶
The apt command is a more user-friendly interface for apt-get.
sudo apt update
sudo apt install package_name
sudo apt remove package_name
System Information¶
uname¶
The uname command displays system information.
uname -a
df¶
The df command (disk free) displays disk space usage.
df -h
du¶
The du command (disk usage) displays the size of files and directories.
du -h file_or_directory
free¶
The free command displays memory usage.
free -h
Conclusion¶
These basic Linux commands provide a foundation for interacting with and managing a Linux system. Mastering these commands will enhance your ability to navigate the file system, manage files, monitor processes, and handle system administration tasks efficiently.