Hervey Allen

Network Startup Resource Center

PacNOG 6: Nadi, Fiji

Using Commands in Linux

The format of a command
command [options] parameters
“Traditionally, UNIX command-line options consist of a dash,
followed by one or more lowercase letters. The GNU utilities
added a double-dash, followed by a complete word or
compound word.”

Two very typical examples are:

-h
--help
and
-v
--version
Command parameters
•  The parameter is what the command
acts on.
•  Often there are multiple parameters.
•  In Unix UPPERCASE and lowercase for
both options and parameters matter.
Spaces ___ are ___ critical ___ .
“-- help” is wrong.

“--help” is right.
Some command examples
Let's start simple:
Display a list of files:
ls
Display a list of files in a long listing format:
ls -l
Display a list of all files in a long listing format
with human-readable file sizes:
ls -alh
Some command examples cont.
Some equivalent ways to do “ls -alh”:
ls -lah
ls -l -a -h
ls –l --all --human-readable
Note that there is no double-dash (‘--’) option
for “-l”. You can figure this out by typing:
man ls
Or by typing:
ls --help
Where's the parameter?
We typed the “ls” command with several
options, but no parameter. Do you think
“ls” uses a parameter?

- What is the parameter for “ls -l”?

- It is “.” which represents our current directory.
- “ls -l” and “ls -l .” are the same.
- We'll discuss files and directories later.
A disconcerting Unix feature
If a command executes successfully there is
no output returned from the command
execution. this is normal.
That is, if you type:
cp file1 file2
The result is that you get your command
prompt back. Nothing means success.
Let's give this a try...
A disconcerting Unix feature
Try doing the following on your machine:
$ cd
[cd = change dir]
$ touch file1
[touch = create/update]
$ cp file1 file2
[cp = copy]

The “$” indicates the command prompt for a

normal user. A “#” usually means you are
the root user.
Using pipes

In Unix it is very easy to use the result of

one command as the input for another.
To do this we use the pipe symbol “|”. For
example:
ls -l /sbin | sort
ls -l /sbin | sort | more
What will these commands do?

Press “q” to exit the “more” command.

Take advantage of the command line

The command line in Unix is much more

powerful than what you may be used
to with Windows. You can...
...easily edit long commands
...find and recover past commands
...quickly copy and paste commands.
...auto-complete commands using the
tab key (in bash shell).
Edit long commands

! Don't touch that keyboard!

Arrow keys are so sloooooooow...
- Use Home and End instead (or ctrl-a, ctrl-e)
- Delete with Backspace not Delete.
- Press <ENTER> as soon as the command is
correct. You do not need to go to the end of
the command.
- Use “history | grep string”, then
!NN instead of lots of up-arrows.
Find and recover past commands

•  As noted on the previous slide. Use:

$ history | grep “command string”
•  Find command number in the resulting list,
and execute the command by typing:
$ !number
•  So, to find the ssh-keygen command you
typed “many” commands ago you could do:
$ history | grep ssh-keygen
Quickly copy and paste commands

In Unix/Linux once you highlight something

it is already in your copy buffer (except on
the Mac).
To copy/paste do:
1.  Highlight text with left mouse cursor. It
is now copied.
(Like ctrl-c in Windows or Apple-c on the Mac)
2.  Move the mouse or cursor where you want
(any window), and press the middle mouse
button.
(Like ctrl-v or Apple-v)
Auto-complete commands using tab

Very, very, very powerful

•  “The tab key is good”, “the tab key is my
friend”, “press the tab key”, “press it again”
- This is your mantra.
•  Tab works in the bash shell. Note, the root
user might not use the bash shell by
default.
•  Remember, the tab key is your friend! 
Auto-complete commands using tab

Core concepts:
•  Once you type something unique, press TAB. If
nothing happens, press TAB twice.
•  If text was unique text will auto-complete. A
command will complete, directory name, file
name, command parameters will all complete.
•  If not unique, press TAB twice. All possibilities
will be displayed.
•  Works with file types based on command!
Your mission…
Should you choose to accept it...
•  Pay close attention to options and parameters.
•  Use “man command” or “command --help” to
figure out how each command works.
•  Use command line magic to save lots and lots
and lots and lots of time.
•  A command acts upon its parameters based on
the options you give to the command...

command [options] parameters