Basic linux commands

Command Syntax Usage

cd cd Change to home directory
cd <path_to_directory> Change to specificed directory

cp cp [OPTION]... SOURCE DEST Copy files and directories

cp -R <source_dir> Copy directories recursively
<destination_dir>
chmod chmod [OPTION]... Change read/write/execute
MODE[,MODE]... FILE... permissions of files and directories
chmod -R MODE DIRECTORY Change permissions of files and
directories recursively
chmod 750 FILE Owner can read/write/execute
Group can read/execute
Other can not do anything
chmod 755 FILE Owner can read/write/execute
Group can read/execute
Other can read/execute
chmod 775 FILE Owner can read/write/execute
Group can read/write/execute
Other can read/execute
chmod 777 FILE Owner can read/write/execute
Group can read/write/execute
Other can read/write/execute
chown chown [OPTION]... Change file owner and group
OWNER[:[GROUP]] FILE...
chown [OPTION]... :GROUP Change file group
FILE...
chown -R OWNER[:[GROUP]] Change owner and group of files
DIRECTORY and directories recursively
find find [path...] [expression] Search for files in a directory
hierarchy
find / -name *.pl Search for files with extension
".pl" from root directory
groups groups Print the groups a user belongs to
ipaddr ipaddr Display IP address of computer
jobs jobs Show jobs of a user
kill kill [pid | job] Terminate process or job
lp lp -d <printer_name> Send requests to LPR print service
ls ls [OPTION]... [FILE]... List directory contents
ls -a Display hidden files and
directories in listing
ls -l Display in long list format

ls -la Display hidden files and

directories in long list format
lpq lpq Spool queue examination program
for default printer
lpq -P <printer_name> Spool queue for specificed printer

lpr lpr -P <printer_name> Off-line print

locate locate NAME Locate a command or a file or a
directory
mv mv SOURCE DEST Move file or directory
mv OLD_FILE_NAME Rename file or directory
NEW_FILE_NAME
more more FILE File perusal filter for crt viewing
mkdir mkdir <directory_name> Make directories
ps ps [options] Report process status
ps -ef Report all processes with full
listing
pwd pwd Print name of current/working
directory
passwd passwd Change your password
rm rm [OPTION]... FILE... Remove files or directories
rm -fr <directory_name> Remove the contents of directories
recursively and ignore nonexistent
files, never prompt
rpm rpm -qa | more Gradually display rpm packages
installed in workstation.
rmdir rmdir [OPTION]... Remove empty directories
DIRECTORY...
w w - [husfV] [user] Show who is logged in and what
they are doing