Linux in a Nutshell, Fifth Edition

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This is the Title of the Book, eMatter Edition

Copyright © 2006 O’Reilly & Associates, Inc. All rights reserved.

Chapter 3

3

Linux Commands

This chapter presents Linux’s user, programmer, and system administration

commands. These are entered into a shell at the console or on a virtual terminal

on a graphical desktop.

Each entry is labeled with the command name on the outer edge of the page. The

syntax line is followed by a brief description and a list of available options. Many

commands come with examples at the end of the entry. If you need only a quick

reminder or suggestion about a command, you can skip directly to the examples.

Typographic conventions for describing command syntax are listed in the Preface.

For help in locating commands, see the index at the back of this book.

We’ve tried to be as thorough as possible in listing options. The basic command

information and most options should be correct; however, there are many Linux

distributions and many versions of commands. New options are added, and

sometimes old options are dropped. You may, therefore, find some differences

between the options you find described here and the ones on your system. When

there seems to be a discrepancy, check the manpage. For most commands, you

can also use the option --help to get a brief usage message. (Even when it isn’t a

valid option, it will usually result in an “invalid option” error along with the