Introduction#
The Linux terminal is a remarkable tool that empowers users to interact with their systems in a powerful and efficient manner. Whether you’re a seasoned developer, a system administrator, or a curious enthusiast, mastering the art of the terminal can significantly boost your productivity and make your daily tasks smoother. In this guide, we’ll delve into a collection of 21 super handy Linux command tips that are poised to revolutionize your terminal experience and transform the way you work.
Commands for Daily Use#
Autocompletion with Tab#
Save valuable time by harnessing the power of the Tab key for autocompletion. When typing commands or file paths, simply press Tab to let the terminal automatically complete the rest or provide you with a list of possible options.
Press TAB
Switch Back to the Last Working Directory#
Effortlessly navigate back to your previous working directory by typing cd -. This nifty shortcut is particularly useful when you’re shuffling between two directories.
cd -
Return to the Home Directory#
Swiftly return to your home directory with the command cd ~. This is a quick way to jump back to your starting point.
cd ~
Run Multiple Commands in One Line#
Combine multiple commands in a single line by using semicolons (;) to separate them. For example:
command1; command2; command3
Run Commands Sequentially#
Execute commands sequentially using double ampersands (&&), ensuring that each subsequent command runs only if the previous one was successful:
command1 && command2
Jump to the Beginning or End of a Line#
Move the cursor to the start of a line with Ctrl + A and to the end with Ctrl + E.
Press Ctrl + A
Press Ctrl + E
Interrupt a Command#
Halt or cancel a running command by pressing Ctrl + C.
Press Ctrl + C
Cancel the Current Line#
Erase the current line from the cursor to the beginning using Ctrl + U.
Press Ctrl + U
Delete the Part Before the Cursor#
Eliminate the word before the cursor with Ctrl + W.
Press Ctrl + W
Paste from the Clipboard#
To paste text from the clipboard, utilize Ctrl + Shift + V.
Press Ctrl + Shift + V
Quickly Clear the Terminal#
Type clear to swiftly clear the terminal screen.
clear
Repeating the Previous Command#
Recall and edit previous commands using the Up arrow key. Press Enter to execute.
arrow key (Up or down)
Repeating the Last Argument#
Recall the last argument from the previous command with Alt + ..
Press Alt + .
Creating Directories and Parent Directories#
Simplify directory creation by using mkdir -p to generate directories along with their parent directories.
mkdir -p /folder1/folder2/folder3/
Commands for Development#
Recall Specific Arguments#
Retrieve specific arguments from the previous command using Alt + 1, Alt + 2, and so on.
Alt + 1
Alt + 2
...
Use the Man Page#
Access detailed information about a command by typing man command to open its manual page.
man chmod
Search History with Ctrl + R#
Search through your command history by pressing Ctrl + R and typing your query.
Press Ctrl + R
Commands for Execution#
Redirect Output to a File#
Redirect command output to a file with > to overwrite the file if it exists:
cat overwrite_this > file.txt
Append Output to a File#
Redirect command output and append it to a file using >>:
cat add_lines_here >> file.txt
For Debugging: Reading a Log File in Real Time#
When troubleshooting and debugging, it’s often crucial to monitor log files in real time to gain insights into what’s happening within your application. The tail command with the -f option is an invaluable tool for this purpose.
Reading Logs in Real Time#
To monitor a log file as it’s being updated, use the tail -f command followed by the path to the log file:
tail -f path_to_log
As new log entries are written to the file, they’ll be displayed in your terminal in real time. This is particularly useful for tracking events as they happen and identifying issues as they arise.
Filtering Relevant Information#
Logs can often be verbose, containing a lot of information that might not be immediately relevant to your debugging efforts. You can enhance your log monitoring experience by combining tail -f
with the grep command to filter out specific lines based on search terms:
tail -f path_to_log | grep search_term
In this command, replace search_term with the keyword you’re looking for in the log entries. This will narrow down the displayed output to only show the lines containing the specified term.
Ensuring Persistent Monitoring#
Sometimes, log files might be rotated or deleted as part of the application’s logging process. To ensure continuous monitoring even when the log file is deleted and recreated, you can use the -F option instead of -f:
tail -F path_to_log
With this option, tail will continue monitoring the file even if it’s removed and re-created, allowing you to maintain an uninterrupted view of the log data.
Conclusion#
These Linux command tips are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to maximizing your terminal experience. As you become more comfortable with the terminal, you’ll uncover countless ways to streamline your tasks, automate processes, and become a more proficient and efficient Linux user.