Linux

3 Mins Read

Mastering Linux Basics: Top 50 Linux Commands with Examples for Beginners

Voiced by Amazon Polly

Linux is a powerful and versatile operating system that powers everything from servers to smartphones. If you’re a student new to Linux, understanding basic commands is the first step toward becoming proficient in using this OS. In this blog, we’ll explore 50 essential Linux commands with simple explanations and examples to help you get started.

1.  pwd

Print Working Directory: Displays the current directory.

2.  ls

List Directory Contents: Shows files and folders in a directory.

Documents Downloads Pictures

3.  cd

Change Directory: Navigate between directories.

4.  mkdir

Make Directory: Creates a new folder.

5.  rmdir

Remove Directory: Deletes an empty folder.

6.  touch

Create File: Creates an empty file.

7.  rm

Remove File/Folder: Deletes files or directories.

8.  cp

Copy Files/Directories: Copies files or directories.

9.  mv

Move/Rename: Moves or renames files and folders.

10.  cat

Concatenate and View Files: Displays file content.

11.  nano

Edit Files: Opens a text file in the nano editor.

12.  vi

Edit Files: Opens a text file in the vi editor.

13.  echo

Display Text: Prints text or writes to a file.

14.  clear

Clear Terminal: Clears the terminal screen.

15.  history

Command History: Shows a list of recently executed commands.

16.  find

Search for Files: Locates files in the system.

17.  grep

Search in Files: Searches for patterns in files.

18.  chmod

Change Permissions: Modifies file permissions.

19.  chown

Change Ownership: Changes file ownership.

20.  man

Manual Pages: Displays command documentation.

21.  uname

System Information: Displays system details.

22.  df

Disk Usage: Shows available and used disk space.

23.  du

Directory Usage: Displays the size of a directory.

24.  top

Process Monitoring: Displays running processes.

25.  ps

Process Status: Lists active processes.

26.  kill

Terminate Process: Stops a running process.

27.  ping

Network Test: Checks connectivity to a host.

28.  curl

HTTP Requests: Fetches data from URLs.

29.  wget

Download Files: Downloads files from the internet.

30.  zip

Compress Files: Creates a ZIP archive.

31.  unzip

Extract Files: Extracts a ZIP archive.

32.  tar

Archive Files: Archives and extracts files.

33.  df

Check Disk Space: Displays disk usage information.

34.  free

Check Memory: Shows RAM and swap usage.

35.  hostname

Display Hostname: Shows the system’s hostname.

36.  ifconfig

Network Configuration: Displays network settings.

37.  ssh

Secure Shell: Connects to a remote machine.

38.  scp

Secure Copy: Transfers files between machines.

39.  passwd

Change Password: Updates the user password.

40.  whoami

Current User: Displays the current username.

41.  uptime

System Uptime: Shows how long the system has been running.

42.  shutdown

Power Off: Schedules a system shutdown.

43.  reboot

Restart System: Reboots the system.

44.  alias

Shortcut Commands: Creates a custom command alias.

45.  unalias

Remove Alias: Deletes a custom alias.

46.  wc

Word Count: Counts words, lines, and characters in a file.

47.  head

View File Start: Displays the first lines of a file.

48.  tail

View File End: Displays the last lines of a file.

49.  sort

Sort Lines: Arranges lines in a file.

50.  uniq

Remove Duplicates: Filters unique lines in a file.

Freedom Month Sale — Upgrade Your Skills, Save Big!

  • Up to 80% OFF AWS Courses
  • Up to 30% OFF Microsoft Certs
Act Fast!

Conclusion

By mastering these 50 Linux commands, can gain a strong foundation in Linux administration and usage. Practice regularly, Linux is a vast and powerful tool, and this list is just the beginning of your journey!

Freedom Month Sale — Discounts That Set You Free!

  • Up to 80% OFF AWS Courses
  • Up to 30% OFF Microsoft Certs
Act Fast!

About CloudThat

CloudThat is an award-winning company and the first in India to offer cloud training and consulting services worldwide. As a Microsoft Solutions Partner, AWS Advanced Tier Training Partner, and Google Cloud Platform Partner, CloudThat has empowered over 850,000 professionals through 600+ cloud certifications winning global recognition for its training excellence including 20 MCT Trainers in Microsoft’s Global Top 100 and an impressive 12 awards in the last 8 years. CloudThat specializes in Cloud Migration, Data Platforms, DevOps, IoT, and cutting-edge technologies like Gen AI & AI/ML. It has delivered over 500 consulting projects for 250+ organizations in 30+ countries as it continues to empower professionals and enterprises to thrive in the digital-first world.

WRITTEN BY Martuj Nadaf

Share

Comments

    Click to Comment

Get The Most Out Of Us

Our support doesn't end here. We have monthly newsletters, study guides, practice questions, and more to assist you in upgrading your cloud career. Subscribe to get them all!