The Linux shell, is very powerful! We all know it, and if you ask that Linux geek you all know, he will tell you that GUI (graphical user interface) is for losers… OK, let’s not get radical but we all have to admit, that to master GNU Linux, in all of his flavors, the CLI (command line interface) is a tool very important in that path.
Since i plan to write here everything I learned and keep learning in computers, i want to start with the very basic of my favorite operating system! (so you bet, i will not write about DOS!!!)
The basic thing in the command line, is how to obtain some help around. You are with this black screen in front of you, your keyboard, and you can type around, and not knowing what to do, can be a challenge… right? So if you start typing something, for example “d” and you hit the TAB key, suggestions will appear! This suggestions are the list off commands available to you in this system. In this example, in my system, when i type “d”+TAB, my list is:
So you see its easy!!!
OK, its easy to find new commands.. but what do they do? Most of the commands follow some basic rules, the structure is pretty much the same: “command options arguments“, where arguments are filenames or other info needed to be manipulated by the command, and where options are the modifiers for the command, and can be in the form of -xyz or -x -y -z, or when you use full words, usually they are preceded by – -, for example – -help!
Thats right, help! Try it!
Ex: date – -help
All the options for the date command appear so you don’t have to remember them all, neither all the commands… You see, Linux is for lazy people =)
Not all commands follow the same rules, but you will see this later.
Another way to find out about a specific command is to type “whatis command”
If we did this on our date command we would get:
As you can see, this shows a short description of commands, so its very useful! In title of curiosity, the whatis database is (re)generated by magic every night, which means that if you got a brand new system up and running, the whatis database does not yet exist, so if you are feeling impatient, type as root, makewhatis.
This is the basic; next post I’ll talk about the mighty man command.
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2 comments ↓
Hey Marco I thought I’d return you the favour and post up a comment. I applaud your efforts to explain the command line from the ground up. I’ll have to make a point of checking back from time to time to see what other tips you have (I like that you’re starting at the basics and working your way up).
Have a good one.
am thinking of going ubuntu, not liking what i hear abut vista
and its …. “features.” this from-the-ground-up approach
will helpl it happen. thanks, and i’ll check back too. found your
post on reddit.
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