Using the Linux command line can be intimidating for beginners, but it's a powerful and efficient way to interact with your system. Here are some basic commands to help you get started:
1. `ls` - List Files and Directories:
- Show the contents of the current directory. ls
2. `cd` - Change Directory:
- Move to a different directory. cd /path/to/directory
3. `pwd` - Print Working Directory:
- Display the current directory path. pwd
4. `cp` - Copy Files:
- Copy files from one location to another.
cp source destination
5. `mv` - Move or Rename Files:
- Move files or rename them. mv oldname newname
6. `rm` - Remove/Delete Files:
- Delete files. Be cautious; this action is irreversible. rm filename
7. `mkdir` - Make Directory:
- Create a new directory. mkdir directoryname
8. `rmdir` - Remove Directory:
- Delete an empty directory. rmdir directoryname
9. `cat` - Concatenate and Display File Content:
- Display the entire content of a file. cat filename
10. `nano` - Text Editor:
- Open a simple text editor for creating or editing files. nano filename
11. `man` - Manual Pages:
- Access the manual pages for a command to learn more about its usage. man command_name
12. `ps` - Process Status:
- Display information about running processes.
ps
13. `kill` - Terminate a Process:
- Terminate a running process using its process ID (PID).
kill PID
14. `chmod` - Change File Permissions:
- Modify the permissions of a file or directory. chmod permissions filename
15. `df` - Disk Free:
- Display information about disk space usage.
df -h
16. `du` - Disk Usage:
- Show the disk usage of files and directories.
du -h
17. `history` - Command History:
- View a list of recently executed commands.
history
18. `grep` - Search Text:
- Search for a specific pattern in a file.
grep pattern filename
19. `sudo` - Superuser:
- Execute a command with administrative privileges.
sudo command
20. `exit` - Exit the Terminal:
- Close the terminal session.
exit
These commands provide a solid foundation for navigating and performing basic tasks in the Linux command line. As you become more comfortable, you can explore more advanced commands and concepts. Remember to use caution, especially with commands like `rm` and `sudo`, as they can have significant consequences if used incorrectly.