Linux(6)

Man Pages

used to describe the features of commands

provide a basic description of the purpose of the command + details

Synopsis

provides examples of how the cmd is executed

[ ] Square brackets

indicate this feature is not required to run the command

[-31jy]

options -3 -1 -j -y are available, but not required for the cmd to function properly

Options

list the options for the command as well as a description of how they are used

... following [OPTION]

indicates that one or more of the items before it may be used

[-u|--utc|--universal]

either the -u, --utc option or the --universal option may be used

typically all three options really do the same thing

search man page for a term

type the / character followed by a search term

Shift+N

move to the next match on the man page

How many sections do man pages have

9

1

General Commands

2

System Calls

3

Library Calls

4

Special Files

5

File Formats and Conventions

6

Games

7

Miscellaneous

8

System Administration Commands

9

Kernel Routines

man -f (cmd)

displays man pages that match the specific name

provide the section number and a brief description of each man page

man -k (cmd)

searches both names + descriptions of man page for key words

(A.K.A) apropos

whatis

returns what section a man page is stored in

(A.K.A) man -f

whereis

searches in specific locations

locate

searches a database of all files and directories that were on the system

-EXCEPT any file created THAT DAY

locate -c (cmd)

how many files match

basename

portion of the filename not including the directory names

locate -c -b (cmd)

only includes listings that have the search term in the basename

locate -b “\(cmd”

limits output to filenames that EXACTLY match the term

info

gives logical organized structure

makes reading documentation easier

gives hyperlinks to pages with more info

Shift+H

move Up + Down

--help

learn the basic usage of a command quickly without leaving the command line

(Similar to SYNOPSIS)