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What is info Linux command?

The info command in Linux is used to access detailed documentation for programs and utilities. It provides a more in-depth explanation compared to the man pages, including various sections and hyperlinks for easy navigation.

info Syntax:

Terminal window
info [option] [topic]

info Options:

OptionDescription
-fSpecify the file to read
-kSearch for a keyword
-hDisplay help message
-oSpecify the output file

Parameters:

ParameterDescription
optionSpecifies additional behavior for info
topicThe topic or file to display

info Command Usage Examples:

Display Information on a Specific Command

Terminal window
info ls

Displays detailed information on the “ls” command.

Terminal window
info coreutils

Navigates through the info pages related to coreutils.

Search for Specific Keywords in info Pages

Terminal window
info --apropos search

Searches for specific keywords, in this case, “search,” within the info pages.

Access info Pages Directly

Terminal window
info bash

Accesses the info pages directly for the “bash” command.

Read Specific Sections Within a Page

Terminal window
info grep -n

Reads a specific section of the “grep” command info pages, in this case, the “-n” option.

How to view the info manual page in Linux?

To view the manual page of a specific command using info in Linux, use the following command:

Terminal window
info <command_name>

How to search for a specific keyword in the info manual pages?

To search for a specific keyword in the info manual pages, you can use the following command:

Terminal window
info --apropos <keyword>

How to navigate within the info pages?

To navigate within the info pages, you can use commands like n for the next node, p for the previous node, and u to go up one level in the info menu.

Terminal window
info ...

How to get help while using info in Linux?

For help while using the info command in Linux, you can press h to display a help menu with available commands.

Terminal window
info ...

How to follow cross-references within the info manual pages?

To follow cross-references within the info manual pages, use the f key to move to the next node or cross-reference.

Terminal window
info ...

How to exit the info viewer in Linux?

To exit the info viewer in Linux, you can press q to quit and close the info pages.

Terminal window
info ...

How to get a list of available info topics?

To get a list of available info topics, you can use the following command:

Terminal window
info --index

Applications of the info command

  • Access detailed documentation for various commands and utilities
  • Learn about the configuration options and usage of different programs
  • Navigate through a tree-structured format to understand a topic in depth
  • Lookup specific information about a command, function, or concept in Linux