| Name | Description | Example |
| cat filename1 | Display the contents of filename. This command may accept multiple filename arguments in which case it will concatenate the files in the order or the filename arguments and display them all at once. |
cat withTheWildNose.txt cat withTheWildNose.txt eatsBugs.txt |
| cd +directory-name+ | Change from your current directory into another one. If you type the command with no arguments you will go to your home directory, If you type a . as a directory-name, then the program will stay in the current directory, and if you type .. as the directory name, then the program will change directories to the directory above the current one in the directory tree. |
cd .. cd finickyFolder cd |
| cp filename1 filename2 | Copies the contents of filename1 to a file with the name filename2. This command will overwrite filename2 if it already exists. | cp sillyCats.txt catsWhoSlideAcrossFloors.txt |
| date | Used to give the date | date |
| du +directoryName+ | Display disk usage | du |
| findhog | This is an RIT script used to find the biggest files in your directory/account. Very useful if you are over quota and don't know what to delete. | findhog |
| less filename | Displays filename one screenful at a time. Similar to the more command. | less heavenlyChocolate |
| lp fileName | Prints a file to the default printer. If you want to print to a specific printer then type: lp -d printername fileName | lp -d csl_lw2 luckyMe.txt |
| ls +directoryname+ | Without the optional argument, ls gives a listing of the files and directories in the current directory. With the optional directory name, ls will give a file/directory listing of the information from that particular directory. ls is commonly used with the following options. ls -a List all (even hidden or dot files) ls -l Give a long listing display | ls -a ls jellyBeanFlavors ls /etc/hosts |
| mkdir directory-name | Makes a directory or folder with the name directory-name | mkdir answersInTheUniverse |
| more | Displays information one screenful at a time. | more bitsPerGallon.txt |
| mv old-name new-name | Moves or renames old-name to new-name. If old-name is a directory, then mv moves old-name into new-name. |
mv snoopy.txt snoopyBird.txt mv cs/lab1 cs/labs/lab1 |
| pwd | Display (Print out) the current (Working) Directory. | pwd |
| rmdir directory-name | Removes a directory/folder if it has no contents underneath it. | rmdir ickyPooDirectory |
| rm name1 name2 | For files, rm removes them in the order specified on the command line. There may be several files that are removed at once. When given as the following: rm -r directory-name rm will remove directory-name recursively, removing all files and sub-folders underneath directory-name. Be careful with this command as it is difficult (if not impossible) to get folder contents back if you accidentally erase important folders in your account. If you accidentally erase a lab, make sure to contact your instructor immediately. It may be possible to get archival copies from a backup disk if the files/folders aren't new. |
rm -r lotsOfFishyFiles rm -r files/ofFishynessFolder |
| ssh hostname | OpenSSH Secure shell that allows you to login to other machines remotely. Can also be done as: ssh username@hostname | ssh snoopy@queeg.cs.rit.edu |
| top | Show continuously what processes/programs are currently taking up the majority of processing time on a machine. Very helpful if you notice your machine is being very slow. You can hold down control and type c (ctrl-c) in order to exit this program. | top |