Linux is a well known term for all those who are in the profession of programming and development. It is one of robust operating systems which are less vulnerable to all potential threats of cyber attacks as compare to windows. This is the main reason behind its popularity among all the professional programmers. The running process and its functionality are different from Mac and windows so you may feel something odd while using first time. But the command lines of Linux are very useful and you can implement them for performing many important tasks. There are some most used Linux terminal commands that are currently in trend and can help the users in simplifying their work.

The terminal command lines of Linux are very easy to use, all you need is to open the terminal and type the exact command for specific operation. Along with secretive, dark and bare bones minimal feature, these command lines are very user friendly. As being a beginner, you can identify, remember and use them very easily. So here is a list of most used Linux terminal commands which will help in simplifying your daily task:-

50+ Most Used Linux Terminal Commands

50+ Most Used Linux Terminal Commands:

  • cd command

The term “cd” refers to change directory that allow the user to circulate between two different file directories.

  • is command

You can use “is” command to display all major directories filed under a specific file system.

  • w command

Using ‘’w” command will show you the user’s current login and all the statistics including login name, login time, remote host and idle time etc.

  • who command

The functioning of “who” command is same as “w” command but it doesn’t print what user is doing currently. It simply returns user name, date, and time and host information.

  • uptime command

You can use “uptime” command to monitor since how long the system is running and the number of users that are currently logged in.

  • cat command

The “cat” command is used to read, concentrate and modify the text files whi9le displaying the content.

  • chmod command

To change the access mode of one or more than one file, you can use type “chmod” in command terminal of Linux.

  • chown command

The “chown” command is specifically used to change the ownership of file through terminal.

  • mv command

The “mv” command refers to move a file in both folders or directories just like you perform this function in windows operating system through drag and drop.

  • man command

To show the manual of inputted command, you can use “man” command in terminal so that all information regarding currently running command can be obtained.

  • cmp command

The term “cmp” as a command for Linux is used to compare the 2 files of any format and writes the comparative results to the standard output.

  • date command

The date command of Linux operating system is for setting the date of system along with exact date.

  • echo command

Using “echo” means to repeat a string variable to standard output. You can also use this command with shell script.

  • mkdir command

To make a new directory, “mkdir” command is used through command terminal just like you create directory in windows operating system. It is among the most used Linux terminal commands which is useful for every Linux administrator.

  • touch command

To make files just like making directory, “touch” command is applied. This command enables the user to create a .txt file through Linux CLI.

  • rm command

To remove or delete the files form Linux operating system, the “rm” command is applied through terminal. All the files created through “mkdir” can be easily deleted through this command.

  • crontab command

With the help of “crontab” command, you can list the scheduled jobs for current users by using –e option.

  • exec command

Using “exec” command will replace the parent process with currently typed command. The arguments of this command specify one or more sub processes to execute.

  • exit command

For the termination of existing script and returning to the parent script, you can use “exit” command from terminal for Linux. The most used Linux terminal commands list cannot be completed without this one.

  • diff command

To ignore the white space while comparing two different files, you can use “diff” command with the help of terminal.

  • vi command

Through “vi” command, you will get a screen based powerful editor that is helpful for both system administrator and programmer.

  • enable command

For both enabling and disabling a printer, you can use “enable” command in Linux terminal.

  • rsync command

For the synchronization of data from one location of disk to another, the command you will need is “rsync”.

  • neat command

By entering “neat” command in terminal, the GNOME GUI tool will open that lets the system administrator to specify the important information required for setting up a new network card.

  • ping command

It is one of the most useful commands of Linux terminal which is used for sending echo request to the host which is specified in command line currently. To determine any error or problem in a network, “ping” command is frequently used by many administrators.

  • clear command

As illustrated from the name, the “clear” command is used to clear various readouts and information by wiping it completely. Simply typing clear word in terminal will execute this command instantly.

  • rmdir command

To remove the directory, you can use “rmdir” command because it allows the user to remove the existing command by using terminal.

  • locate command

The “locate” command can also be considered as command of finding files stored in different locations of computer system. Just type the file name followed by command and it will appear to your screen.

  • grep command

Searching files for a given character string or pattern can replace the string with another with the help of using “grep” command.

  • ifconfig command

For the configuration of kernel resident network interface, you can use “ifconfig” command through terminal.

  • pwd command

To return with present working directory, programmers use “pwd” command and the working directory will return instantly.

  • in command

The purpose of “in” command is to create a new name for a file through hard linking and also allow sharing file between multiple users.

  • netstat command

The information and statistics about the protocols in use and current TCP/IP network connections can be obtained through “netstat” command.

  • passwd command

For changing the current password authentication, administrator can use “passwd” command and new password will be assigned.

  • top command

To monitor the processor activity and display task manager by kernel in real time, you can use “top” command. It is capable of showing the exact usage of processor and memory.

  • tar command

For the compression of files and folders in Linux operating system, you can use “tar” command. It works exactly like you use win RAR and 7Zip for compressing data in windows. Compressing files for different purposes leads to its importance and has made it one of the most used Linux terminal commands.

  • last command

By using “last” command, you can monitor all the activities occurring on system such as time, date, terminal, kernel version and system reboot.

  • kill command

The “kill” command is implemented for the termination process. To make it work, first of all you need to find process with the help of “ps” command.

  • sed command

The term “sed” command is a stream editor which is used to filter text in a pipeline. It acquires text input, perform operations and output the text which is modified.

  • shutdown command

To turn of the computer, “shutdown” command is used along with variables such as –h and –r for reboot and shutting down.

  • ifup / ifdown command

For both starting up and shutting down the network, you may use “ifup and ifdown” command through the terminal.

  • ftp command

The “ftp” command is used by administrators of Linux to connect a remote server and downloading multiple files at a time. For both ftp and secure ftp, this command works well.

  • service command

To run system V init script, you can implement the “service” command. It is useful as an alternative for calling scripts located in /etc/init.d/ directory.

  • ps command

You can use “ps” command for displaying information about the processes that are currently running in computer system.

  • df command

The “df” command of Linux is for displaying the file system disk usage space. By using –k and –h with df, you will get output in bytes and human readable format.

  • mount command

To mount a file in the system, use “mount command” through terminal. But before implementing this, you will need to use “mkdir” command for creating a directory. Due to the need of mounting files, it comes the most used Linux terminal commands.

  • uname command

For getting the important information regarding system properties and features, you can use “uname” command. It will display information like kernel name, process type and host name etc.

  • whereis command

To find out the existence of a specific unix command in system, you can execute the “whereis” command through terminal.

  • tail command

This command is helpful if you want to print the last 10 lines of file as a by default function. Just enter “tail” in the terminal and the function will be defined as default permanently.

  • su command

The “su” command of Linux operating system is used by administrators for switching to a different account. This command works exactly as you use switch user function in windows operating system.