Unix Reference Card Directories

mkdir directory-name make a new directory Viewing File Contents

rmdir directory-name remove a directory (must page filename go through file one page at a time
be empty of all files) less filename page through file with capability
cd directory-name change to a directory to go backwards
cd change to your home directory
cd .. change to directory one level up head options filename view the first few lines
tail options filename view the last few lines
~ home directory
. current directory
.. directory one level back Printing
Getting Started / entire filesystem root To select a new printer:
UNIX commands are used while connected LPDEST printername
directly to bama through an SSH or terminal export LPDEST
interface. Our recommended programs include Working With Files lp option filename print file
SSH Security Shell, TeraTerm with SSH, and
ls options filename list files in a directory cancel printjob cancel print job in queue. Get
Macintosh Terminal. More information is
available online at ncs.ua.edu. Options for ls include: printjob name from lp command result
-a show all files including hidden ones enscript options filename format file for
Commands are entered by giving the command (those beginning with a “.”) PostScript printer
name, any desired options, then any filenames or -l long list showing ownership, permission lpstat –p printername check printer queue. Use
directory names all separated by spaces. When and links printername “all” to see full list.
“enter” is pressed, the command is processed by -t time-ordered list
bama. -F mark directories with “/”, links with “@”
UNIX is case sensitive. All UNIX commands are and executables with “*” Other Useful Commands
lower-case. Type commands demonstrated on mv options filename new-filename rename a file clear clear the screen
this reference card exactly as shown. File and mv options filename directory-name pine text-based email program
directory names can be mixed-case but always move file to a new directory date current date and time
must be typed exactly as named. mv options directory-name new-directory-name script keep a record of terminal session
For complete lists of options use the “man” move a directory and all of its contents to a quota -v show disk space usage and quota
command. new directory, keeping the structure intact. cat file1 >> file2 append file1 to file2.
New directory must already exist. ispell options filename spell-check
cp options filename new-filename copy file grep string filename search for string in filename
rm options filename delete file wc options filename count lines, words, and
The most useful option for mv, cp, and rm is -i. characters
This will cause command to verify (inquire) filep options filename print a file w/ formatting
before execution.
 Compressing and Archiving
Editing compress (uncompress) options filename(s)
compress (uncompress) using LZ algorithm.
vi options filename standard (vi)sual editor
emacs options filename terminal-based editor
gzip (gunzip) options filename(s) Scripting
slightly more efficient compress/uncompress
pico options filename simple text editor Programs can be be scripted using the any of the
zip (unzip) options filename(s) compress
textedit options filename X-windows editor following. Login startup files are in ( ).
(uncompress) and archive (unarchive)
tar options -f archive-name filename(s) /bin/ksh (.profile, .kshrc [if setup])
work with “tar” archive of files: /bin/sh (.profile)
Permissions and Security tar -cvf archive files(s) create archive /usr/local/bin/bash (.bash_login, .bash_profile,
chmod permission filename(s) set level of access. tar -xvf archive extract files .profile)
permissions pertain to (u)ser, (g)roup and tar -tvf archive list files /bin/csh (.login, .chsrc)
(o)ther and include (r)ead, (w)rite, and /usr/local/bin/tcsh (.login, .chsrc)
e(x)ecute. /usr/local/bin/perl
Turn access on with “+” Working With Processes /usr/local/bin/wish8.0
Turn access off with “-” /usr/local/bin/rexx
ps option show running jobs on system.
Set access exactly to with “=“ ps -fu userid show jobs running as userid
chmod go-rwx filename(s) protect your files kill pid kill job given by process id pid. Compilers
from prying eyes Use ps -fu userid to find the pid.
control-z stop the foreground job f77 options filename.f FORTRAN77 (Sun)
bg (fg) put a stopped job into the f90 options filename.f90 FORTRAN90 (Sun)
Shell Commands background (foreground) cc options filename.c C (Sun)
jobs show user’s running and CC options filename.cc C++ (Sun)
history show previously-run commands
suspended jobs gcc options filename.c C (gnu)
escape (repeat k or j) move up or down
nohup command & run command in the g++ options filename.cc C++ (gnu)
through history of commands. Press “enter”
background; it will not stop when you logout. pc options filename.p Pascal (Sun)
to re-execute (ksh only).
alias newcommand command-string create new (applies to ksh only) Options are compiler-specific. Execute the
command that runs command-string, including compiled binary with ./binary-name
all of the given options If not specified, binary will be called “a.out”
X-Windows
command > outputfile command ’s output replaces
. enableX sets user DISPLAY.
outputfile (>> will append)
Xwindows server must be enabled on PC
command < inputfile command ’s input comes
netscape start Netscape Navigator
from inputfile
textedit filename edit filename
command1 | command2 command1’s output
jws Java Workshop programming suite
becomes command2 ’s input
ws Sun Workshop programming and
debugging suite