Ubuntu Linux Shell Commands quick reference

The following is a quick reference list of some useful Ubuntu shell commands along with a short description of common usage. There are more, but this basic list was created to help familiarize the newly introduced Ubuntu user who might be migrating from a Windows operating environment.

*Ubuntu is a product of Canonical Ltd

cd – change directory

usage: cd <directory name>

clear – clear screen

cp – copy files (similar to copy in DOS)

cp <filename> < new location>

diff – compare files

diff <file1> <file2>

exit – exit or quit

find – find files

find -name <filename>

fsck – check disk integrity (similar to DOS scandisk)

ifconfig – view network settings (similar to DOS ipconfig)

less – view text files

less <filename>

lpr – print text files

lpr <filename>

man – get help

man <command>

mkdir – create a directory

mkdir <directory name>

mv – move 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

tracepath <address>

vi – edit text files

vi <filename>

Ubuntu Linux Shell Commands quick reference published under Using and Configuring Linux