Unix commands overview

Here you can find the basic Unix commands. This page are designed for Unix beginners mainly.
Every Unix command or filename is case sensitive, unlike DOS, this is the most common error to be aware of.

cd - Changes your current directory
Example: cd dir_name

chmod - Change permissions of file or directory

clear - Clears the shell.

cp - Copy a file
Example: cp old_name new_name

emacs - Starts up the emacs text editor
Example: emacs file_name

exit - Exits out of a shell

help - General command information.

lpq - Lists print spool.

ls - Lists files in your current directory.

ls -al - Shows permission settings for files in directory.

man - Manual pages for a command
Example: man command

mail - Sends and receives mail

mkdir - Makes a new directory
Example: mkdir new_dir_name

passwd - Changes your password

pine - Starts the pine mail program.

pwd - Tells you your present working directory.

rm - Removes a file
Example: rm file_name

rmdir - Removes a directory
Example: rmdir dir_name

source .login - Runs your .login file.

ifconfig -a - displays the IP configuration of the box

Comments/Feedback

If you have specific suggestions for changes, corrections, and additions to this article please use the comment form below.