Linux whatis command

The Linux whatis command is used to quickly find a brief description of a specific command. It is a helpful tool for users who want to understand the purpose of a command without having to search through the manual pages. By simply entering “whatis” followed by the command name, users can access a concise summary of the command’s functionality. This can save time and streamline the process of learning new commands in the Linux terminal.

whatis Syntax:

whatis [keyword]

Options:

Option	Description
-w	Match the keyword with a whole word only
-r	Search for the keyword in the names and the short descriptions

Parameters:

Parameter	Description
keyword	The keyword to search for in the manual pages’ short descriptions

Caution

Be cautious when using the whatis command as it only searches for matches in the short descriptions of manual pages.

whatis Usage:

Displaying Information about the ls Command

whatis ls

Displays a brief description of the “ls” command.

Finding Information about the cp Command

whatis cp

Retrieves a short summary of the “cp” command.

Exploring Details about the date Command

whatis date

Shows a concise explanation of the “date” command.

Checking Information about the mkdir Command

whatis mkdir

Provides a short overview of the “mkdir” command.

Tip

Remember that the whatis command in Linux is used to display a short description of a command. It is a helpful tool for quickly understanding the purpose of a command without having to refer to the manual pages.

How do I use whatis in Linux?

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

whatis command_name

What is the difference between whatis and man in Linux?

The main difference between whatis and man in Linux is that whatis provides a brief description of a command, while man displays the detailed manual pages for a command.

How can I search for multiple commands using whatis in Linux?

You can search for multiple commands using whatis in Linux by providing the command names separated by spaces. For example:

whatis ls pwd cd

Can whatis be used to search for command options in Linux?

Yes, whatis can be used to search for command options in Linux by specifying the option along with the command. For example:

whatis ls --color

How can I display only the names of the commands without the descriptions using whatis in Linux?

To display only the names of the commands without their descriptions using whatis in Linux, you can use the -l (lowercase L) option. For example:

whatis -l ls

Is it possible to search for commands based on keywords using whatis in Linux?

Yes, it is possible to search for commands based on keywords using whatis in Linux by providing the keyword as a parameter. For example:

whatis search

Can whatis display information for shell built-in commands in Linux?

Yes, whatis can display information for shell built-in commands in Linux, along with regular external commands. For example:

whatis cd

Applications of the whatis command

• Display one-line manual page descriptions
• Look up brief descriptions of commands
• Quickly find the purpose of a specific command