Basic UNIX Commands

Here are some of the most commonly used UNIX commands at WPI. Italics denote an argument to be supplied by the user.

Working with Directories
Working with Files
Connecting to Computers
Printing
"Talking" to Others
Using an Editor
The Web
Getting Information

Working With Directories
Command	Description
mkdir directory	make directory
rmdir directory	remove directory
cd path	change directory
cd ..	move up one directory level
pwd	displays the path name of the current working directory
Working With Files
Command	Description
ls	list files
ls -a	list all files (including hidden files)
ls -la	list all files and file permissions
chmod filename	changing file permissions. More information here
rm filename	remove file
cp filename	copy file
quota	display quota information
more filename	display file in window-length sections
Connecting to Computers
Command	Description
ssh hostname	use the SSH program to open an encrypted connection to the given host.
Printing
Command	Description
lpr	print to a line printer (unless PRINTER environment variable is set)
lpr -Pprintername	print to a specific printer
lpq -Pprintername	check print queue
"Talking" to Others
Command	Description
mesg y	setting the current session to receive talk messages
talk	splitting the screen to view your text and the receiver's text
Using an Editor
Command	Description
pico	access the Pico editor
joe	access the JOE editor
emacs	access the Emacs editor
vi	access the VI editor
The Web
Command	Description
links address	opens the specified address in links (text-based browser)
Getting Information
Command	Description
man man	explanation of how to use the help files
man command	opens the help file for the specified command
\| more	adding this command at the end of an entry allows you to view one screen at a time
whitepages user	returns general information on another WPI user
tele user	returns staff or faculty information (department, office location, phone extension)

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Last modified: Jun 21, 2006, 18:03 UTC