ls Linux Command Guide

The ls command in Linux is used to list files and directories within a specified directory. It provides a simple way to view the contents of a folder quickly. Users can customize the output by using various options such as -l for detailed information, -a to show hidden files, and -h for human-readable sizes. By mastering the ls command, you can improve your efficiency in managing files and navigating through the Linux file system.

ls Syntax:

ls [option] [parameter]

Options:

Option	Description
-a	Shows all files, including hidden files
-l	Displays long format listing
-h	Human-readable sizes (e.g., 1K 234M 2G)
-r	Reverse order while sorting
-t	Sort by modification time
-R	List subdirectories recursively
-S	Sort by file size
-d	List directories themselves, not contents
-i	Print the index number of each file

Parameters:

Parameter	Description
file	Specifies the file or directory

Caution

Be cautious when using the ls command, especially with options like -R or -l which can display a lot of information and may take longer to process.

ls Command Samples:

List all files and directories in the current directory

ls

This command lists all files and directories located in the current working directory.

List details of all files in a directory

ls -l

Using the -l flag provides a detailed list of all files in the specified directory.

List all files and directories in a specific directory

ls /path/to/directory

Lists all files and directories located in the specified directory path.

List all files and directories with hidden files

ls -a

The -a flag shows all files, including hidden files that start with a dot (.)

Reverse the order of listing

ls -r

Listing files in reverse order (Z to A or newest to oldest).

List files in a human-readable format

ls -lh

Lists files with sizes in a readable format like KB, MB, etc.

List files with a specific file extension

ls *.txt

Lists only files with a specific file extension, such as .txt files.

Tip

When using the ls command in Linux, make sure to familiarize yourself with the different options available to customize the output according to your needs. Experiment with various flags and parameters to enhance your file listing experience.

How do I use ls in Linux?

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

ls --option <value>

How can I list all files, including hidden files?

To list all files, including hidden files, you can use the following ls command:

ls -a

How can I display file sizes in human-readable format with ls?

To display file sizes in human-readable format while using the ls command, use the following command:

ls -lh

How do I sort the files by modification time using ls?

To sort the files by modification time, you can utilize the ls command with the following options:

ls -t

How can I view detailed information about files with ls?

To view detailed information about files, such as permissions, owner, group, size, and modification date, execute the ls command with the following flags:

ls -l

How can I list only directories with ls?

To list only directories, you can utilize the ls command with the following option:

ls -d */

Applications of the ls command

1. List files and directories in a specified directory:

ls

2. List all files and directories, including hidden ones:

ls -a

3. List files and directories with detailed information:

ls -l

4. List files and directories with human-readable file sizes:

ls -h

5. List files and directories sorted by modification time:

ls -t

6. List files and directories sorted by size:

ls -S

7. List files and directories with colorized output:

ls --color