Basic Linux Commands

ls

• The list command. Lists contents of a directory
  • ls -l: list the contents in long listing format

cat

• Read the contents of a file
  • cat -n: Print number of lines in file, alongside content

pwd

• Print Working Directory

cd

• Change Directory
  • Switch to another directory

chown

• Change Ownership
  • Change ownership of a file/directory to another user/group

chmod

• Change Mode
  • Change the file mode of a file/directory
  • To read more about file modes, and what they mean, see this article

more

• See more of a file, better than cat for reading large files slowly, rather than spitting the entire file onto the screen.
• Using the ENTER key will allow you to move down through the file

less

• Similar to more, but allows you to search through the file with the / key
• To search, hit / then type the phrase you would like to search for
  • All accounts of that phrase will be highlighted, starting with the first
• q to quit, Don't join 2.4 million others!