Most used UNIX commands

commands in bold
names of user supplied items in italics

cat file: -displays file without stopping
cd directory: -change to a subdirectory of the current directory
cd /path/directory: -change to a new directory
cd ..: -move up one directory
chmod +w dir: -changes permissions of directory to allow others to write into it.
cp file location: -Copies a file to a new location, where the location can be a directory or a new file name.
date: -shows the date and time
df -k: -shows the amount of room left on the hard drives
ftp machine: -transfer files between current computer and named machine.
Examples of named machine are asnc90 or asnc90.asc.edu or 129.66.16.2 User logs into the new machine then types
get file -to bring a file from the new machine or
put file -to send a file to the new machine or
dir -to show files on the new machine or
cd directory -to change to a new directory on the new machine.
kill -9 pid: -stops the job with the given pid number (get pid number with ps command)
lpq: -shows which jobs are pending in the print queue
lpr file: -sends the file to the default printer (usually a line printer)
lprm job#: -removes a job from the print queue (job number is gotten from the lpq command)
ls: -Lists files in the current directory
ls -a: -Lists files including hidden files
ls -l: -Lists files along with size, date, ownership and permissions
mail user: -sends mail to the specified user on that computer.
End the message by typing control-D
mail user@addr: -sends mail to a user on another computer.
End the message by typing control-D
man command: -shows manual page on how to use that command
mkdir directory: -creates a new directory
more file: -displays a file controlled by the commands:
return -show next line
space -show next screen
b -show previous screen
q -quit
mv file location: -If location is a file name, this renames the file.
-If location is a directory, this moves the file there.
passwd: -changes users password (for machines not using yellow pages)
otherwise use yppasswd
program: -typing the name of a program will run that program
program &: -runs the program in the background, so the user can continue to work while the program runs
ps: -shows processes belonging to the user for that session by pid number
ps -u user: -shows all processes belonging to the specified user by pid number
pwd: -shows current directory path
rlogin machine: -allows user to work in text mode on the named machine.
Examples of named machine are asnc90 or asnc90.asc.edu or 129.66.16.2
rm file: -deletes the file
rm *.ext: -deletes all files with that extension (be careful)
rm *: -deletes everything in that directory (be really careful)
Don't do this in your home directory ever, there are important hidden files!!
rmdir directory: -deletes the directory
talk user: -allows interactive typing of messages between to logged in users.
Second user must also type talk first_user
telnet machine: -Allows user to work in text mode on the named machine.
Examples of named machine are asnc90 or asnc90.asc.edu or 129.66.16.2
time program: -runs the program then tells the user how long the program took to complete
vi: -the UNIX ASCII text editor (requires a complete set of instructions of it's own)
who: -shows who is logged in
who am i: -shows your login ID
yppasswd: -changes users password (for machines using yellow pages)
otherwise use passwd

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