UNIX Quick Reference

This quick reference lists commands, including a syntax diagram and brief description. Arguments inside the brackets ([..]) indicate an optional part of the command. For more detail, click on the command.

9.1 File Manipulation

List files in current directory	----> ls -[l]
List hidden files	----> ls -[l]a
Display file contents	----> cat filename
Page through file	----> more filename
Copy	----> cp source destination
Move or Rename	----> mv oldname newname
Remove (delete)	----> rm filename
Create or modify file	----> pico filename
Search with grep filter	----> grep pattern filename

9.2 File Properties

Changing permission	----> chmod nnn filename
	----> chmod c=p[,c=p...] filename

where n is a digit from 0 to 7 which sets the access level for the user(owner), group, and others(public), respectively. c is one of: u for user, g for group, o for other, or a for all. p is one of: r for read access, w for write access, or x for execute access.

9.3 Directories

Change Directory	----> cd directory_name
Make new Directory	----> mkdir directory_name
Remove directory	----> rmdir directory
Print working(current) directory	----> pwd

9.4 Job Control

Run command in the background	----> command &
Stop foreground job	----> CTRL-Z
List of background jobs	----> jobs
Bring job forward	----> %n
Resume job in background	----> %n &

9.5 Processes

Listing
BSD	----> ps -[aux]
SYSV	----> ps -[elf]
Terminating	----> kill -[HUP] PID

9.6 Managing Disk Space

Disk usage of file system	----> df
Disk usage of individual from current directory	----> du -s
Disk usage of files from current directory	----> ls -l

9.7 Printing

Printing a file from a cmd shell	----> lpr -Pprintername filename
Checking the printer queue	----> lpq -Pprintername

9.8 Miscellaneous Commands

List commands for subject	----> man -k subject
Display documentation	----> man command
Log out	----> exit
	----> logout

Last Updated: Oct 31, 2012