5 Lesser-Known Linux Command Tips for Beginners
Are you new to Linux or looking to expand your command-line skills? You’re in the right place! While you might be familiar with basic commands like ls and cd, there’s a world of lesser-known tricks that can make your life easier. In this blog post, we’ll explore five unique Linux command tips that you probably haven’t heard of before. These tips are not only useful but also beginner-friendly. Let’s dive in!
1. Use tree to Visualize Directory Structures
If you’ve ever struggled to understand the structure of a complex directory, the tree the command is your new best friend.
tree /path/to/directory
This command displays the directory structure in a tree-like format, making it easy to visualize how files and folders are organized. It’s beneficial when you’re working on projects with many nested directories.
Pro tip: Use tree -L 2 to limit the display to two levels deep, perfect for getting a quick overview without overwhelming details.
2. Quickly Create Multiple Files with touch
Need to create several files at once? The touch command can do more than just update timestamps!
touch file1.txt file2.txt file3.txt
This single command creates three empty files. You can create as many files as you need in one go, saving you time and effort.
3. Use history to Recall and Reuse Commands
Can’t remember that long command you used yesterday? The history command is here to help.
history | grep "keyword"
This command displays your command history, filtered by a keyword. It’s incredibly useful when you need to recall a complex command you’ve used before.
Bonus tip: Use !number to rerun a command from your history. For example, if the command you want is number 42 in your history, just type !42 to run it again.
4. Monitor System Resources with htop
While top is well-known, htop is its more user-friendly and colorful cousin. It provides a real-time view of your system’s CPU, memory, and processes.
htop
htop offers an interactive interface where you can scroll, sort processes, and even kill them if needed. It’s a great tool for understanding what’s happening on your system at a glance.
5. Use tee to Output to Both Screen and File
Ever wished you could see the output of a command on your screen and save it to a file at the same time? The tee command makes this possible.
command | tee output.txt
This command runs your desired command, displays the output on the screen, and simultaneously saves it to output.txt. It’s incredibly useful for logging command outputs while still being able to see them in real time.
Another Article: How Bash Scripts Can Save A Lot Of Time
Conclusion
These five Linux command tips are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the power of the command line. As you become more comfortable with these commands, you’ll find your productivity soaring and your understanding of Linux deepening. Remember, the key to mastering Linux is practice and curiosity. Don’t be afraid to experiment and explore – that’s how you’ll discover even more useful tricks!
Happy Coding!
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