ls: This is the command to " l i s t" the files in your directory. It is comparible to the DOS dir command.

By now you should have used the command at least a few times. There are lots of switches to make it more useful. A few more common ones are listed below:

• ls lists the file names in across the screen
• -l is the " l ong" version. It shows type, permission, etc
• -a shows " a ll" the files, including the hidden ones.
• -al shows all the files in a long version list.
• --color or --color=yes toggles bash to show the list in colors , a different color each for files, directories, links, etc.
• --color=no toggles bash to show the list in black and white.
• Note that the color command is sticky.

The following information isn't specific to ls , but it is useful to know about.

ls can have its output redirected. This is done with a > sign. You can output the directory listing to a text file:

ls > filename

If the directoy listing is too long to see on one screen you can display one screen at a time with the " | more " switch.

Shift+PageUp will allow you to scroll upward. Shift+PageDown will allow you to scroll downward

Contributors

• GrantFraser - 15 Jan 2002
• <If you edit this page, add your name here, move this to the next line>