help Linux command

The Linux help command allows users to access documentation on other commands, helping them understand how to use different functionalities effectively. By simply typing “help” followed by the command you need information on, you can quickly access a summary of how to use that command. This can be particularly useful for new users or when you need a refresher on a specific command’s syntax and options. The help command provides a convenient way to navigate the extensive capabilities of the Linux operating system and efficiently troubleshoot issues that may arise during system management.

help Syntax:

help [options] [command]

Options:

Option	Description
-d	Output a short description for specified COMMAND.
-m	Display the manual page for the specified COMMAND.

Parameters:

Parameter	Description
command	The name of the command or topic to provide help for.

Caution

Exercise caution when using the help command, as not all commands or topics may have help information available. Ensure the command or topic name is specified correctly to access the desired help documentation.

help bash Examples:

Display General help Information

help

Displays general information on how to use the bash built-in commands.

Get help on a Specific Command

help cd

Displays detailed information about the cd command.

Display Information on Multiple Commands

help echo ls

Displays information about both the echo and ls commands.

Get help with a Built-in Command

help alias

Provides detailed information on how to use the alias built-in command.

Show help Information for a Script

help myscript.sh

Displays help information for the specific script named myscript.sh.

Invoke the The Complete Bash Manual

help bash

Opens the complete Bash manual for detailed reference and information.

Tip

When using the help command in Linux, make sure to provide the appropriate command or utility name to get specific help information. The help command provides detailed usage instructions and options for the specified command, helping users understand how to effectively use different commands in the Linux terminal.

help Command Help Center:

How do I use help in Linux?

To use the help command in Linux, execute the following command:

help

How can I get help for a specific command in Linux?

To get help for a specific command in Linux, use the help command followed by the command name. For example:

help ls

Can I get help with options and arguments for a command using help in Linux?

Yes, you can get help with options and arguments for a command using the help command. Simply provide the command name along with its options. For example:

help ls -l

How do I see a list of all available built-in commands in Linux using help?

To see a list of all available built-in commands in Linux using help, you can use the following command:

help -s

Is it possible to display the help information in a specific language using help in Linux?

Yes, you can display the help information in a specific language using the LANG environment variable. For example, to view help in Spanish, you can run:

LANG=es_ES.UTF-8 help

How can I get a brief usage summary for a command using help in Linux?

To get a brief usage summary for a command using help in Linux, provide the command name followed by a brief option. For example:

help -d ls

Can I redirect the help output to a file using the help command in Linux?

Yes, you can redirect the help output to a file using the help command in Linux. Simply use output redirection with the help command. For example:

help ls > ls_help.txt

Applications of the help command

• To get information about a specific command
• To learn about command options and arguments
• To understand how to use a command effectively