Bash Command Reference

This document provides a concise reference to common Bash commands that are useful in command line operations.

• rm: Removes files or directories.

  • Usage: rm example.txt (removes example.txt)
  • Usage: rm -rf directory_name (recursively removes directory_name and its contents)

• cd: Changes the current directory.

  • Usage: cd my_directory (navigates to my_directory)

• mkdir: Creates a new directory.

  • Usage: mkdir new_directory (creates new_directory)

• ls: Lists all files and directories in the current directory.

  • Usage: ls

• ls -la: Lists all files and directories in the current directory, including hidden ones, and provides detailed information.

  • Usage: ls -la

• cp: Copies files or directories.

  • Usage: cp file.txt new_location (copies file.txt to new_location)
  • Usage: cp -r directory_name new_location (recursively copies directory_name and its contents to new_location)

• grep: Searches for a specific pattern in files.

  • Usage: grep "example" file.txt (searches for "example" in file.txt)

• history: Displays the command history.

  • Usage: history

• cat: Displays the content of a file.

  • Usage: cat file.txt (displays content of file.txt)

• |: Pipes the output of one command as input to another command.

  • Usage: ls | grep "pattern" (lists all files in the current directory and searches for "pattern" in the output)

• sudo: Runs a command with elevated privileges.

  • Usage: sudo brew install package_name (installs a package using brew with root privileges)

• su: Switches to the root account to perform administrative tasks.

  • Usage: su (switches to the root account after entering the root password)

Note: Exercise caution when using these commands. Always double-check before executing any commands that may have irreversible effects.