basic_linux_commands.md

title = "Basic Linux commands"
description = "Simple commands you'll want to know"
weight = "32"

Basic commands

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Holland clusters all run on the Linux operating system, similarly to how your personal computer might run Windows or Mac OS. However, unlike Windows or Mac OS, our systems do not utilize a graphical user interface where you can use a mouse to navigate and initiate commands. Instead, we use a command line interface, where the user types in commands which are then processed and text output is displayed on the screen. The default shell used is Bash. Bash may seem complicated to learn at first, but with just a small handful of commands, you can do anything that you would usually do with a mouse. In fact, once people become proficient in Bash, many of them prefer it over graphical interfaces due to its versatility and performance.

Below, we have compiled a list of common commands and usage examples. For a more information, check out one of these references:

• Software Carpentry’s "Introduction to the Bash Shell" Lesson - a great walkthrough of the basics of Bash designed for novice users
• Linux Users Guide - detailed information about the Linux command line and how to utilize it
• Linux Command Line Cheat Sheet - a quick reference for Linux commands. Offers a PDF version that you can print out.

Linux Commands Reference List:

ls	list: Lists the files and directories located in the current directory	ls ls -a shows all the files in the directory, including hidden ones ls -l shows contents in a list format including information such as file size, file permissions and date the file was modified ls *.txt shows all files in the current directory which end with .txt
cd	change directory: this allows users to navigate in or out of file directories	cd <folder path> cd folder_name navigates into directory "folder_name" located in the current directory cd .. navigates out of a directory and into the parent directory cd $HOME (or $WORK) navigates to a user's home (or work) directory
mv	move: used to move a file or directory to another location	mv <current file(s)> <target file(s)> mv * ../ moves all files from the current directory into the parent directory mv old_filename new_filename renames the file "old_filename" to "new_filename"
cp	copy: used to copy a file or directory to another location	cp <current file(s)> <target file(s)> cp * ../ copies all files in the current directory and puts the copies into the parent directory cp -r ./orig_folder ./new_folder copies all files and directories within orig_folder into new_folder (-r indicates this is a recursive copy, so all sub-directories and files within orig_folder will be included in new_folder)
man	manual: displays documentation for commands Note: Use up and down arrows to scroll through the text. To exit the manual display, press 'q'	man <command name> man ls displays documentation for the ls command
mkdir	make directory: creates a directory with the specified name	mkdir <new_folder> creates the directory "new_folder" within the current directory
rmdir	remove directory: deletes a directory with the specified name Note: rmdir only works on empty directories	rmdir <folder_name> removes the directory "folder_name" if the directory is empty rmdir * removes all directories within the current directory
rm	remove: deletes file or files with the specified name(s)	rm <file_name> deletes the file "file_name" rm * deletes all files in the current directory
nano	nano text editor: opens the nano text editor Note: To access the menu options, ^ indicates the control (CTRL) key.	nano opens the text editor in a blank file nano <file_name> opens the text editor with "file_name" open. If "file_name" does not exist, it will be created if the file is saved
clear	clear: clears the screen of all input/output	clear
less	less: opens an extended view of a file Note: Use up and down arrows to scroll through the text. To exit the extended view, press 'q'	less <file_name> opens an extended view of the file "file_name"
cat	concatenate: sends file contents to standard input - used frequently with pipes	cat <file_name> prints the contents of the file "file_name" cat *.txt prints the contents of all files in the current directory that end in ".txt"

Tutorial Video

{{< youtube B0VdKiHNjU4 >}}