Posted onFeb 2, 2021

Linux Commands (CLI) To Get You Started

#linux #ubuntu #programming

This article deals exclusively with the Command Line Interface(CLI), rather than a Graphical User Interface(GUI) you may be familiar with. A basic understanding of the terminal is essential to diagnosing and fixing most Linux based systems.

What is a command? A command is a software program that when executed on the CLI performs an action on the computer. When you type in a command, a process is run by the operating system that can read input, manipulate data and produce output. It runs a process on the operating system, which then causes the computer to perform a job.

List of Commands

The 'ls' Commands

Most commands follow a simple pattern of syntax:

command [options…] [arguments…]

- to display a listing of information about files you will use

ls

Note: Every part of the command is normally case-sensitive, so LS is incorrect and will fail, but ls is correct and will execute.

- results in a "long display" output, meaning the output gives more information about each of the files listed:

ls -l

- To print results in reverse order alphabetical order use:

ls -r

- To sort files by timestamp:

ls -lt

- To sort files by size use:

ls -l -S

Switch Between Directories Commands

- To print the current working directory use:

pwd

- To change from one directory/folder to another use:

cd [directory name here]

- To move to previous directory use:

cd /

- To move to home/first directory use:

cd ~

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Top comments(2)

Rico Brase

Location
Germany
Work
Software Developer
Joined
May 6, 2020

• Feb 2 '21

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A little correction:

cd / doesn't move to previous directory, but to the filesystem root (e.g. where the foldersetc,home andvar are located).

To move to the previous directory, you can use:

cd -

And the home directory doesn't necessary have to be the "first directory" (a session can start outside of the users home directory).
cd ~ always changes directory the current users home (which can, but doesn't have to be the "first directory" after login).

Also quite helpful:
To go up one level (e.g. move out of the current folder), you can use:
cd .. -.. means "the directory above the current one".

Still a great overview over the most basic CLI commands on Linux-based operating systems, thank you!