In Linux, "ls" is a commonly used command that displays the contents of a directory or folder. It lists the files and directories present in the specified directory. However, there is also a "ls -l" command, where the "-l" flag is an option that displays detailed information about the files and directories, including permissions, ownership, size, and modification time. The "ls -l" command is useful when you need to view more information about the files and directories present in the directory. In summary, "ls" provides a basic listing of files and directories, whereas "ls -l" provides a more detailed listing and can be very helpful in various operations requiring more fine-grained control over the files and directories.