40 Essential Linux Commands That Every DEVELOPER Should Know
Tags: linux, devops, webdev, systems
Published: 2023-01-18 03:11:42

Linux is a powerful and versatile operating system that is widely used for both personal and professional use. One of the key features that sets Linux apart from other operating systems is its command line interface. The command line, also known as the terminal, allows users to interact with the system directly and perform a wide variety of tasks.
To make the most of your Linux experience, it is essential to have a solid understanding of the command line and the various commands that are available. In this article, we will cover 40 essential Linux commands that every user should know. From navigating the file system to managing system processes and services, these commands will give you the foundational knowledge you need to effectively use your Linux system. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced user, this guide will provide you with the essential tools to work efficiently and effectively in the Linux command line.

    1. ls - used to list the files and directories in a directory
    2. cd - used to change the current directory
    3. pwd - used to display the current working directory
    4. mkdir - used to create a new directory
    5. rmdir - used to remove an empty directory
    6. rm - used to remove a file or directory
    7. touch - used to create a new file
    8. cp - used to copy a file or directory
    9. mv - used to move or rename a file or directory
    10. nano or vim - used to edit text files in the command line
    11. cat - used to display the contents of a file
    12. less - used to view the contents of a file one page at a time
    13. grep - used to search for a specific string of text in a file or multiple files
    14. find - used to search for files in a directory
    15. chmod - used to change the permissions of a file or directory
    16. chown - used to change the owner of a file or directory
    17. su - used to switch to the superuser or root account
    18. sudo - used to execute a command as the superuser or root account
    19. exit - used to log out of the current user account
    20. clear - used to clear the terminal screen
    21. history - used to display a list of recently executed commands
    22. top - used to display the currently running processes and their resource usage
    23. ps - used to display the currently running processes
    24. kill - used to terminate a running process
    25. df - used to display the available and used disk space on a file system
    26. du - used to display the size of a directory or file
    27. free - used to display the amount of free and used memory in the system
    28. ln - used to create a symbolic link between a file or directory
    29. tar - used to create and extract archive files
    30. gzip and gunzip - used to compress and decompress files
    31. ssh - used to securely connect to a remote system
    32. scp - used to securely copy files between systems
    33. rsync - used to efficiently copy files and directories between systems
    34. ping - used to test network connectivity
    35. traceroute - used to display the route a packet takes to reach a host
    36. netstat - used to display information about network connections and routing tables
    37. ifconfig - used to configure network interfaces
    38. apt-get - used to manage packages on Debian-based systems
    39. yum - used to manage packages on Red Hat-based systems
    40. systemctl - used to manage and view system services
These are some of the most commonly used Linux commands that every user should know. However, there are many more commands available, each with their own specific use cases. It is recommended that you continue to learn and explore new commands as you become more comfortable with the Linux command line.