You are currently viewing Intermediate Linux Terminal Commands
Linux terminal by Lukas

Intermediate Linux Terminal Commands

Linux logo

Welcome to our guide on intermediate Linux terminal commands! If youโ€™ve got the basics down, youโ€™re ready to take the next step. Here, weโ€™ll explore handy tools for files, users, and more.

Linux Text Editing Tools

Ready to get better with Linux text editing tools? These commands make editing files a breeze:

  • nano: A simple choice for quick edits. For example, type nano /etc/hosts.
  • vim or vi: A solid editor for tweaks. Start with vim script.sh, then press i.
  • emacs: A flexible option among Linux text editing tools. Use emacs config.conf & to run it.
Screenshot of vim editor in Linux
Vim in action with a script file.

Pro Tip: Try vim shortcuts like hjkl to speed up your work with these tools!

Linux File Permissions Basics

Want to learn Linux file permissions basics? Hereโ€™s how these commands help you control access:

  • chmod: Change access easily. For instance, chmod -R u+x scripts/ makes files runnable.
  • chown: Set a fileโ€™s owner. Try chown user1 file.txt as part of Linux file permissions basics.
  • chgrp: Switch group access. Use chgrp developers project/.

Also, try chmod 755 file.sh for quick permission setups.

Screenshot of ls -l showing file permissions
File permissions after running chmod 755.

Monitor Linux Processes

Need to monitor Linux processes? These tools keep you on top of whatโ€™s running:

  • ps: See active processes. Type ps aux for details.
  • top or htop: Watch live stats. Run htop to monitor Linux processes clearly.
  • kill: Stop a process. For example, kill -9 1234 ends it fast.
Screenshot of htop showing process management
Monitoring processes with htop.

Tip: Use ps aux | grep name for quick process checks.

Package Management with Intermediate Commands

Updating your system? Hereโ€™s what to use for package handling:

Debian/Ubuntu

  • apt-get: Add software. Try sudo apt-get install nginx.
  • dpkg: Handle .deb files. Use dpkg -i package.deb.

Red Hat/Fedora

  • yum: Install packages. Run sudo yum install httpd.
  • rpm: Use .rpm files. Type rpm -ivh package.rpm.

Pro Tip: Refresh Debian with apt-get update && apt-get upgrade.

File Searching Commands

Need to find files fast? Try these search tools:

  • find: Search by name. Try find / -name "*.log".
  • locate: Quick searches. Run locate config.conf after sudo updatedb.

Text Manipulation Tools

Working with text? These commands are great for the job:

  • grep: Find patterns. For example, grep -r "error" /var/log/.
  • sed: Edit text fast. Use sed 's/old/new/g' file.txt.
  • awk: Pull out data. Try awk '{print $1}' file.txt.

Combo: cat access.log | grep "404" | awk '{print $7}' grabs 404 links.

Archiving and Compression

Packing files? Check out these compression tools:

  • tar: Group files. Use tar -cvf archive.tar dir/.
  • gzip: Shrink files. Run gzip file.txt.
  • zip/unzip: Make .zip files. Try zip archive.zip *.txt.

One-Liner: tar -czvf archive.tar.gz dir/ does both.

Linux Network Troubleshooting

Need help with Linux network troubleshooting? These commands get you connected:

  • ip: Check network info. Type ip addr show.
  • ping: Test a connection. Use ping -c 10 google.com.
  • ssh: Log in remotely with Linux network troubleshooting. Try ssh user@192.168.1.10.
  • scp: Move files securely. Run scp file.txt user@remote:/path/.
Screenshot of ip addr show for networking
Network details from ip addr show.

Linux User Account Setup

Starting with Linux user account setup? These commands make it simple:

  • useradd: Add a user. Use sudo useradd -m -s /bin/bash obiwan.
  • passwd: Set a password. Try sudo passwd obiwan.
  • usermod: Update a user with Linux user account setup. For example, sudo usermod -aG sudo obiwan.
  • userdel: Remove a user. Run sudo userdel -r obiwan.
Screenshot of user management with cat /etc/passwd
User list after adding obiwan.

Group Management

Sorting users into groups? Hereโ€™s how to do it:

  • groupadd: Make a group. Use sudo groupadd jedi.
  • gpasswd: Add users to groups. Try sudo gpasswd -a obiwan jedi.
  • groups: See user groups. Run groups obiwan.

Password Policies

Keeping accounts secure with Linux user account setup? Try this:

  • chage: Set password rules. For instance, sudo chage -M 60 obiwan.

File Transfer Commands

Moving files around? Give these a go:

  • wget: Grab files online. Use wget https://example.com/file.zip.
  • curl: Download stuff. Run curl -O https://example.com/file.txt.
  • rsync: Sync files. Try rsync -av dir/ remote:/backup/.

System Information

Curious about your system? Check these out:

  • uname: See system details. Use uname -a.
  • df: Check disk space. Run df -h.
  • free: View memory. Try free -m.

More Useful Tricks

Want to boost your skills? For example:

  • rm -r dir1: Delete a folder and its contents.
  • cat file1 file2 > file3: Mix two files into one.
  • grep -n "word" file1: Find words with line numbers.
  • whoami: See your username.

Power Move: Chain commands like ls | grep "file" | sort.

Screenshot of chained commands in Linux
Output of ls | grep "file" | sort.

Great Job!

If you made it to the end and you understand everything, we have covered today then you’re fast becoming a Linux master, well done!

If you want to keep up to date with our latest posts, or you just want to say hi, why not follow us on Twitter/X

If you want to show your support, why not browse through our Products page and see if there is anything you need. Meganano receives a small profit from each sale made via our affiliate links.

Luke Barber

Hey there! Iโ€™m Luke, a tech enthusiast simplifying Arduino, Python, Linux, and Ethical Hacking for beginners. With creds like CompTIA A+, Sec+, and CEH, Iโ€™m here to share my coding and tinkering adventures. Join me on Meganano for easy guides and a fun dive into tech, no genius required!
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

0 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments