Here is a list of basic linux commands. This list of linux commands is not complete as there are many more linux commands available. However, it should make a good start for a beginner or intermediate linux administrator / linux user. All linux commands in this list include examples to demonstrate how the actual linux command works.

A

• alias - create names or abbreviations for commands
• apropos - search the manual page names and descriptions
• at [man page] - queue, examine or delete jobs for later execution

B

• bc [man page] - An arbitrary precision calculator language

C

• cal - displays a calendar
• cat [man page] - concatenate files and print on the standard output
• cd - change directory
• chgrp [man page] - change group ownership
• chmod [man page] - change file access permissions
• cksum [man page] - checksum and count the bytes in a file
• cp [man page] - copy files and directories
• csplit [man page] - split a file into sections determined by context lines

D

• date [man page] - print or set the system date and time
• dd [man page] - convert and copy a file
• du [man page] - estimate file space usage

E

• egrep [man page] - print lines matching a pattern
• export - set an environment variable

F

• fgrep [man page] - print lines matching a pattern
• find [man page] - search for files in a directory hierarchy
• fold [man page] - wrap each input line to fit in specified width

G

• grep [man page] - print lines matching a pattern

H

• head [man page] - output the first part of files

I

J

• join [man page] - join lines of two files on a common field

K

L

• logrotate [man page] - rotates, compresses, and mails system logs
• ls [man page] - list directory contents

M

• mkdir [man page] - make directories
• mv [man page] - move (rename) files
• mount [man page] - mount a file system

N

• nl [man page] - number lines of files

O

• od [man page] - dump files in octal and other formats

P

• pwd [man page] - print name of current/working directory

Q

R

• rgrep [man page] - print lines matching a pattern
• rm [man page] - remove files or directories

S

• scp - secure copy (remote file copy program)
• ssh - OpenSSH SSH client (remote login program)

T

• tail [man page] - output the last part of files
• tar [man page] - The GNU version of the tar archiving utility
• tee [man page] - read from standard input and write to standard output and files
• time [man page] - run programs and summarize system resource usage
• touch [man page] - change file timestamps

V

• vim - Vi IMproved, a programmers text editor

W

• watch [man page] - execute a program periodically, showing output fullscreen
• wc [man page] - print newline, word, and byte counts for each file
• whoami [man page] - print effective userid

X

Y

Z

Share | Support Linuxconfig.org Site by Linking to Us

• Add New
• Search

Comments (4)

• 2010-03-06 19:26:00 |Your IP address:115.64.70.xxx| ch.venu gopal  - Pls. explain the following command

  i am new to this forum and in learning stage linux.I dont know how to write scripts. please explain the following command
  # nohup sh dunning_script_normal.sh > log.out &

  ReplyQuote

• 2010-03-06 19:28:20 |Your IP address:115.64.70.xxx| lubos  - # nohup sh dunning_script_normal.sh > log.out &

  # nohup sh dunning_script_normal.sh > log.out &

  # -> running script as root
  nohup -> keep running the script even when I log out
  sh -> run shell script
  dunning_script_normal.sh -> the actual script file
  > -> redirect output
  log.out -> output will be stored in log.out file
  & -> release shell prompt when I run the script

  ReplyQuote

• 2010-03-07 18:41:29 |Your IP address:117.97.243.xxx| prabhanja  - install command

  I'm using linux im home i'm not getting how to
  install any software in linux ..
  pls any one tell me how to install any software in linux

  ReplyQuote

• 2010-03-08 00:38:08 |Your IP address:115.64.70.xxx| lubos  - Package management tools

  This depends on what linux you are using. For debian like distros start here:
  http://www.debian.org/doc/FAQ/ch-pkgtools.en.html

  and for redhat like distros start here:
  http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/linux/RHL-9-Manual/custom-guide/ch- graphical-rpm.html

  lubos

  ReplyQuote

Write comment

Your Contact Details:

Name:

Email: do not notifynotify

Comment:

Title:

UBBCode:         -color-aquablackbluefuchsiagraygreenlimemaroonnavyolivepurpleredsilvertealwhiteyellow -size-tinysmallmediumlargehuge

Message:

Security

Please input the anti-spam code that you can read in the image.

Joomla components by Compojoom