Top 20 Linux Commands Every Ubuntu User Must Know

Ubuntu is one of the most popular Linux distributions, known for its user-friendly interface and robust functionality. However, to truly harness the power of Ubuntu, it’s essential to learn the Linux command line. Here’s a guide to the top 20 Linux commands every Ubuntu user should know, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user.

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1. ls – List Directory Contents

The ls command lists the files and directories in the current directory.

• Usage:

  ls
  ls -l
  ls -a

• Common Options:

  • -l: Long format listing with details like file size and permissions.

  • -a: Show hidden files.

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2. cd – Change Directory

The cd command lets you navigate between directories.

• Usage:

  cd /path/to/directory
  cd ..  # Move up one directory
  cd ~   # Go to the home directory

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3. pwd – Print Working Directory

Displays the full path of the current directory.

• Usage:

  pwd

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4. touch – Create an Empty File

Creates a new, empty file in the current directory.

• Usage:

  touch filename.txt

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5. mkdir – Make Directory

Creates a new directory.

• Usage:

  mkdir new_directory
  mkdir -p nested/directory/structure

• Tip: Use -p to create parent directories as needed.

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6. rm – Remove Files or Directories

Deletes files and directories.

• Usage:

  rm file.txt
  rm -r directory_name  # Delete a directory

• Warning: Be careful with rm, as deleted files cannot be easily recovered.

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7. cp – Copy Files and Directories

Copies files and directories.

• Usage:

  cp source_file destination_file
  cp -r source_directory destination_directory

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8. mv – Move or Rename Files

Moves files or directories and can also rename them.

• Usage:

  mv old_name.txt new_name.txt
  mv file.txt /new/location/

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9. cat – Concatenate and Display File Contents

Displays the contents of a file.

• Usage:

  cat file.txt

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10. nano – Text Editor

Opens the Nano text editor for editing files.

• Usage:

  nano file.txt

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11. sudo – Execute Commands as Superuser

Grants temporary superuser privileges.

• Usage:

  sudo apt update

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12. apt – Package Manager

Manages software installation and updates.

• Usage:

  sudo apt update       # Update package list
  sudo apt upgrade      # Upgrade all installed packages
  sudo apt install package_name  # Install a package
  sudo apt remove package_name   # Remove a package

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13. df – Disk Space Usage

Shows disk space usage for file systems.

• Usage:

  df -h

• Tip: Use -h for human-readable sizes.

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14. du – Directory Disk Usage

Displays the disk usage of files and directories.

• Usage:

  du -h
  du -sh directory_name

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15. top – Monitor System Processes

Provides a real-time view of running processes and resource usage.

• Usage:

  top

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16. ps – Display Running Processes

Lists running processes.

• Usage:

  ps aux

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17. kill – Terminate Processes

Ends a process by its PID (Process ID).

• Usage:

  kill PID
  kill -9 PID  # Forcefully terminate a process

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18. chmod – Change File Permissions

Modifies file or directory permissions.

• Usage:

  chmod 755 file.sh
  chmod u+x script.sh  # Make a file executable

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19. chown – Change File Ownership

Changes the owner and group of a file or directory.

• Usage:

  sudo chown user:group file.txt

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20. tar – Archive Files

Creates or extracts tarball archives.

• Usage:

  tar -cvf archive.tar file1 file2
  tar -xvf archive.tar

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Conclusion

These 20 commands cover the basics of navigating and managing your Ubuntu system. By mastering these commands, you’ll unlock the full potential of the Linux command line and improve your productivity. Practice regularly to build confidence, and don’t hesitate to explore more advanced commands as you progress.