15 Most Common Linux Commands You Should Be Aware Of

Until now, all 500 of the best supercomputers on this earth operate Linux. Moreover, the leading one million hosts worldwide use Linux, 96.3 percent. Thus, Linux commands are essential.

Being one of the most dependable, safe, and powerful OS out there, Linux is very well-liked. You have a lot of flexibility with this OS since it is open source.

The following commands are compatible with Linux, Android, macOS, Windows Subsystem for Linux, and almost any other UNIX framework.

Table of Contents

What are Linux Commands?

It acts as a command translator and allows the user to interact with an entire operating system.

It gives users additional capabilities, including writing scripts. It enables them to carry out activities using text and instructions.

On Ubuntu, use “Ctrl+Alt+T” and hit Enter to launch the terminal. There’s a Graphical interface method as well.

Common Linux Commands

Let’s now examine the commands that are executed the most. Several of these may be customized with a variety of choices.

man

A user guide or documentation for almost every command may be seen using the “man.” It may be pretty valuable if you’re looking for a fast search on how to use commands.

To learn much about “printf,” for example:

$ man printf

It provides you with a very brief rundown:

cd

Changing folder is what “cd” refers to. It allows you to switch the active path from the current one to a particular directory.

For instance:

cd documents

Now you are in the “documents” folder.

A unique route “..” may be used to denote the primary folder:

cd ..

Another unique path indication is “.” which denotes the current directory.

Absolute pathways that begin at the root directory “/” are another option:

cd /etc

ls

To see a folder’s contents, use the “ls.” It would, by default, show the files within the currently active folder.

Syntax:

ls

mkdir

Within a current directory that already exists, new folders may be created with “mkdir.”

mkdir documents

You could create many directories:

mkdir pictures downloads

By using the “-p,” you may also construct many nested directories:

mkdir -p assets/images

cp

Use “cp” to copy documents. It uses the “from here to there” style. And here is an illustration:

$ cp document.txt newdocument.txt

To duplicate the entire data of a directory, you must include “-r” when copying directories:

$ cp -r folder newfolder

mv

While it may also be included to rename items, “mv” is mainly used to move documents. The document’s name and the folder of the target are required.

For instance:

mv document.txt /home/documents/personal

The command for renaming items is:

mv photo.jpg nature.jpg

pwd

If you ever become misplaced on the system, use the “pwd” to locate yourself:

pwd

The present directory location, such as “/home/images,” will be printed.

cat

To view the contents of one or many documents and show them on the terminal, choose “cat.” It is helpful if you’d like to check the contents of whatever files quickly. It could be done without launching the document’s specific program.

cat sample.txt

The document’s contents are displayed as line numbers using “cat -n.”

cat -n sample.txt sample1.txt

You may combine the contents of many documents into one new one using the operator “>”:

cat document1 document2 > document3

When a file doesn’t yet exist, one may add the contents of many files together using the operator “>>”:

cat doc1 doc2 >> doc3

chmod

You may easily alter a document’s permissions with “chmod.” It offers a wide range of alternatives.

Basic privileges that a document may have include:

w (write), x (execute), r (read)

Making a resource executable by users is among the most frequent uses. To do it, enter the item you wish to change the privileges, following command and the option “+x”:

chmod +x document

One may execute scripts straight after utilizing this to make them run. It is the “./” convention.

tar

A collection of documents may be compressed inside an archive using “tar.” Additionally, it may be used to manage, extract, or edit an archive.

It generates a “compressed.tar” package. And contains the contents of the document1 and document2:

tar -cf compressed.tar document1 document2

“c” stands for “create.” “f” contains the file name.

Use the following syntax to extract items with archives in the current directory:

tar -xf archives1.tar

Choosing “x” means to extract. Additionally, to export items to a particular folder:

tar -xf archives1.tar -C folder1

Gzipping the archives is a standard method for creating compressed archives. A “z” parameter is used:

tar -czf archives.tar.gz doc1 doc2

“tar -xf” would extract archives if it detects that it is one:

tar -xf archives1.tar.gz

sudo

It could be required for you to take on the role of the systems administrator when managing. If your device warns that only an owner (or administrator) can act, then prefix it with “sudo.”

When executing, this might request the owners’ password. It is utilized to modify documents that aren’t in the user’s root folder and to install apps:

sudo cd /root/

sudo apt install mypaint

kill

When an application is non – responsive and is unable to end it in any way, it isn’t delightful. Moreover, this type of issue is resolved with the “kill.”

It ends the process by sending it “TERM” or “kill” signals.

Programs may be terminated both by inputting the processes Identifier (PID) or program:

kill 440531

kill chrome

Be cautious when using this. It is because you risk the possibility of unintentionally erasing previous works.

ping

To determine if you are connected to a host, use “ping.” For instance, “ping duckduckgo.com” would evaluate the ability to communicate. Thus, it checks the search engine and analyzes the responsiveness.

passwd

Linux members are given passwords. “passwd” may be used to modify a password. So, there are two circumstances.

Whenever you wish to update the password, it represents the initial scenario. When prompted, type:

passwd

An interaction popup will request your old password before requesting your newer one.

You may provide the user name for whom you wish to alter passwords if you’re an administrator. It is for users having root access rights:

passwd <user name> <new password>

You are not required to input your old password in this situation.

touch

You may use “touch” to create a brand-new, empty document via command- line interface. To construct a “Dev.css” CSS document within the Assets folder, type:

touch /home/user_name/Assets/Dev.css

Conclusion

There are hundreds more commands for a Linux distribution. But, learning anything practical requires having hands-on experience.

One can use these commands to administer either Linux PC. Or Dedicated hosting services, which would be helpful.