When you’re first starting out with Linux, it can be intimidating with all the different commands and functionalities. But fret not, Linux, like other operating systems, provides built-in help commands to navigate through these challenges. This article focuses on how to use the ‘help’ command in Linux to learn about other commands and their usage.
The ‘help’ Command
The help command in Linux is a bash built-in command, which provides information about bash shell built-in commands. This can be especially helpful when you’re not sure how to use a certain command or when you can’t remember certain command options.
How to Use the ‘help’ Command
To use the ‘help’ command, you simply type ‘help’ followed by the name of the command that you need help with. For example:
help cd
This command gives you information about how to use the ‘cd’ (change directory) command and the options that come with it.
List All Bash Built-in Commands
There’s also a way to list all the bash built-in commands with the ‘help’ command, simply type ‘help’ only:
help
The output of this command will be a list of all the available built-in commands that you can get help on.
Get Detailed Information About a Command
If you’re looking for more detailed information about a command, you can use the ‘-d’ option with the ‘help’ command:
help -d cd
This command will give you a longer, more detailed description of the ‘cd’ command and its usage.
Conclusion
The Linux ‘help’ command is a powerful tool for learning about other commands and how to use them. Whether you’re new to Linux or just need a refresher, the ‘help’ command is always there to assist you. So, don’t be afraid to use it when you get stuck!
