The following is a quick reference list of some useful Linux shell commands along with a short description of common usage. There are several more, but this basic list was created to help familiarize the newly introduced Ubuntu users. Those who might be migrating from a Windows operating environment.
Linux Shell Commands - examples
cd - change to a new directory.
usage: cd <directory name>clear - clear the screen.
clearcp - copy files (similar to copy in DOS).
cp <filename> <new location>diff - compare files for differences.
diff <file1> <file2>exit - exit or quit the terminal.
exitfind - find files by name.
find -name <filename>fsck - check disk integrity (similar to DOS scandisk).
fsckifconfig - view network settings (similar to DOS ipconfig).
less - view text files
less <filename>lpr - print text files.
lpr <filename>man - get help for a provided command.
man <command>mkdir - create a directory (make directory).
mkdir <directory name>
mv - move files to a new location or rename files.
mv <filename> <new location>ping - check a network connection.
ping <address>rm - delete or remove a directory or file (similar to del in DOS).
rm -rf <directoryname>
rm <filename>tracepath - view a network route of provided address.
tracepath <address>vi - edit files (command line text editor).
vi <filename>