Book Image

Linux Utilities Cookbook

By : James Kent Lewis
Book Image

Linux Utilities Cookbook

By: James Kent Lewis

Overview of this book

<p>Linux is a stable, reliable and extremely powerful operating system. It has been around for many years, however, most people still don't know what it can do and the ways it is superior to other operating systems. Many people want to get started with Linux for greater control and security, but getting started can be time consuming and complicated. <br /><br />A practical, hands-on guide that provides you with a number of clear step-by-step examples to help you solve many of the questions that crop up when using an operating system you may not be familiar with.</p> <p>Presenting solutions to the most common Linux problems in a clear and concise way, this helpful guide starts with spicing up the terminal sessions by command retrieval and line editing, and shell prompt variables. We will then get to know the different desktops (GUIs) available for Linux systems and which is the best fit for you. We will then explore the world of managing files and directories, connectivity, and what to do when it goes wrong. We will also learn a range of skills, from creating and managing user accounts to securing your system, managing and limiting processes, and letting information flow from one process to another using pipes. Later, we will master disk management, working with scripts and automating tasks quickly, and finally, understand the need for a custom kernel and tips on how to build one.</p> <p><br />Based on the author's extensive experience, there is a section on best practices that every Linux user should be familiar with.</p>
Table of Contents (19 chapters)
Linux Utilities Cookbook
Credits
About the Author
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
Index

Filename auto-completion


When running a command, you do not have to type the entire filename. This saves a lot of time and effort, and also helps prevent typos.

The Tab key is used to invoke filename auto-completion. See the following screenshot:

You only need to type enough characters to make the filename you want unique, and then press Tab. If you didn't type enough characters, you will hear the console beep (in most shells). If you now press Tab again, all of the possibilities will be displayed.

Getting ready

All you need for this example is a terminal running the Bash shell.

How to do it...

  1. Change to your home directory, in my case it's:

    cd /home/jklewis.
    
  2. Create a directory using the following command:

    mkdir Linuxbook
    
  3. Change to it Linuxbook using the following command:

    cd Linuxbook
    ls > file2.txt
    ls > file3.txt
    ls > file4.txt
    ls > unique1.txt
    
  4. Now let's create some dummy files; run using the following command:

    ls > file1.txt
    
  5. Now type ls -la u and then press Tab. The rest of the filename "unique1.txt" will appear. Press Enter.

  6. Now type ls -al file and press Tab. Nothing will happen, and your console may beep. Press Tab again. Now all 4 filenames will appear.

  7. Add a 4, press Tab again, and then Enter. The command ls -la file4 will run.

This may look complicated or even clumsy but if you give it a chance you will become an expert in no time at all.