Basic Linux Commands for day to day life

Linux is a popular desktop, embedded, and server operating system that is strong and adaptable. Knowing the basics of commands will greatly increase your productivity and simplicity of use if you use Linux. Essential Linux commands that are useful for daily operations will be covered in this article, making it easier for you to explore and effectively administer your system.

Basic Linux Commands for day-to-day life

There are many basic Linux commands that a user can use in his day-to-day life and are mentioned below:-

Navigating the File System

1. PWD

The pwd (Print Working Directory) the command shows your current directory path in the terminal. This command is useful for knowing where you are in the file system.

pwd

2. ls

The ls command lists all files and directories in your current directory. You can use various options to customize the output, such as -l for a detailed view and -a to include hidden files.

ls -la

3. cd

The cd (Change Directory) command allows you to navigate through directories. Use it to move to a specific folder.

cd /path/to/directory

Managing Files and Directories

1. mkdir

The mkdir command creates a new directory. This is helpful for organizing your files.

mkdir new_directory

2. touch

The touch command is used to create a new empty file or update the timestamp of an existing file.

touch new_file.txt

3. cp

The cp command copies files or directories. You can specify the source and destination paths.

cp source_file.txt destination_file.txt

4. mv

The mv command moves or renames files and directories. It’s useful for organizing files or changing their names.

mv old_name.txt new_name.txt

5. rm

The rm command removes files or directories. Use with caution, as deleted files cannot be easily recovered.

rm file_to_delete.txt

Viewing and Editing Files

1. cat

The cat command displays the content of a file in the terminal. It’s a quick way to view text files.

cat file.txt

2. nano or vim

These are text editors used to create or edit files directly from the terminal. nano is more user-friendly for beginners, while vim is powerful for advanced users.

NANO:- nano file.txt

VIM:- vim file.txt

System Information and Management

1. top

The top command displays real-time system resource usage, including CPU and memory. It’s useful for monitoring system performance.

top

2. df

The df (Disk Free) command shows disk space usage for all mounted filesystems. It helps you keep track of available storage.

df -h

3. free

The free command displays information about memory usage, including total, used, and free memory.

free -h

Networking Commands

1. ping

The ping command tests network connectivity to a specific host. It’s useful for troubleshooting network issues.

ping example.com

2. ifconfig or ip

These commands display network interface configuration. ifconfig is older and may be replaced by ip.

ifconfig
OR
ip a

3. wget

The wget command downloads files from the internet. It’s helpful for retrieving files via HTTP, HTTPS, or FTP.

wget http://example.com/file.zip

Package Management

1. apt-get (Debian/Ubuntu)

This command manages packages in Debian-based distributions, allowing you to install, update, and remove software.

sudo apt-get install package_name

2. yum (CentOS/Fedora)

Similar to apt-get, yum manages packages in RPM-based distributions.

sudo yum install package_name

Conclusion

Learning basic Linux commands can greatly improve your efficiency when using Linux for day-to-day tasks. By mastering these everyday Linux commands, you’ll be able to manage files, navigate directories, and perform system tasks quickly and effectively. Whether you are using Linux for personal or professional purposes, knowing essential Linux commands will give you the confidence to work with the Linux command line like a pro.