The total number of Unix commands is immense. No normal user or system administrator would ever need to know them all.
The Unix commands available to you will vary based upon several factors:
· The version of Unix you are using (FreeBSD, Linux, Solaris, AIX, HP-UX, OpenBSD, etc...)
· The Unix shell you are using (sh, csh, tcsh, ksh, bash, etc...)
· The packages installed on the system and the way the system is configured
· Your access level on the system
In this FAQ, I will address only Bash shell commands, as all other major shells can now be considered obsolete.
This list of basic Unix commands will get you started using and learning Unix.
Use the Unix `man` command to learn more about any of these commands.
Unix Command
Description
ls
List directory contents
cp
Copy files
rm
Remove directory entries
file
Determine file type
find
Walk a file hierarchy
which
Locate a program file in the user's path
whereis
Locate programs
gcc, g++
GNU project C and C++ Compiler
gdb
The GNU Debugger
less
View the contents of a text file
diff
Find differences between two files
cmp
Compare two files
vi
Text editor
chmod
Change file modes
man
Display the on-line manual pages
mv
Move and rename files
ispell
Interactive spelling checker
biff
Be notified if mail arrives and who it is from
lpr
Print a file
lpq
Show the print queue
ftp
Transfer a file to another Unix system
logout
Quit using the system
pwd
Print working directory name
cd
Change working directory
ln
Make a file link
mkdir
Make directories
rmdir
Remove directories
quota
Display disk usage and limits
history
Display a list of recent commands
ps
Show the status of processes
kill
Stop a running processes
passwd
Change your password
alias
Create a command alias
unalias
Delete a command alias
export
Set an environment variable
script
Record your terminal session to a file
bg
Send a job to the background
fg
Bring a job to the foreground
jobs
Print a list of current jobs
The basic Unix commands are fairly standard across the various Unix platforms, although command arguments differ at times. In addition, the basic Unix commands vary between Unix shells.
Learning the Unix Operating System
If you're new to Unix, this concise book will tell you just what you need to get started and no more. This fifth edition is the most effective introduction to Unix in print, covering Internet usage for email, file transfers, and web browsing. It's an ideal primer for Mac and PC users who need to know a little about Unix on the systems they visit. The new edition also contains many major and minor updates to help the reader navigate Unix's ever-expanding capabilities. In response to the popularity of Linux, the book now focuses on the popular bash shell preferred by most Linux users. A new chapter explains how to use ftp, pine for mail, and offers useful knowledge on how to surf the web. And the author has included tips throughout the text on security basics, especially in the Internet and networking sections. The book includes a completely updated quick reference card to make it easier for the reader to access the key functions of the command line.
jpx1978