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apropos command in MacOS

The apropos command in MacOS is a powerful tool that allows users to search for relevant commands based on keywords. By simply typing “apropos” followed by a keyword, users can quickly access a list of commands that match the search criteria. This can be particularly useful when trying to find a specific command but only remember certain keywords associated with it. The apropos command searches through the entire man page descriptions of commands, making it easier to find the information you need.

apropos Syntax:

Terminal window
apropos [keyword]

MacOS apropos Options:

OptionDescription
-eSearch for exact keyword match
-wMatch only whole words
-rUse basic regular expressions
-MSearch specific man page directories
-sRestrict search to specific sections

apropos Parameters:

ParameterDescription
keywordThe keyword or phrase to search for in man pages

How to use apropos command:

Terminal window
apropos copy

Searches for commands related to the keyword “copy”.

Terminal window
apropos man

Finds commands related to the keyword “man”.

Terminal window
apropos search

Lists commands related to the keyword “search”.

Explore commands for “delete”

Terminal window
apropos delete

Explores commands related to the keyword “delete”.

Terminal window
apropos compress

Searches for commands related to the keyword “compress”.

Terminal window
apropos processes

Finds commands related to the keyword “processes”.

Browse commands for “print”

Terminal window
apropos print

Browses commands related to the keyword “print”.

Terminal window
apropos network

Lists commands related to the keyword “network”.

How do I use apropos in MacOS?

To use the apropos command in MacOS, execute the following command:

Terminal window
apropos <keyword>

What is the purpose of the apropos command in bash?

The apropos command in bash is used to search the man pages for matches to a specified keyword.

Terminal window
apropos keyword

How can I get more detailed information with apropos in MacOS?

To get more detailed information with the apropos command in MacOS, you can use the -a flag to display all found matches.

Terminal window
apropos -a keyword

Can I search for commands with wildcards using apropos in MacOS?

Yes, you can use wildcards like ’*’ with the apropos command in MacOS to search for commands containing a specific keyword.

Terminal window
apropos 'key*word'

How do I search case-insensitively with apropos in bash?

To perform a case-insensitive search with the apropos command in bash, you can use the -i flag.

Terminal window
apropos -i keyword

To find commands related to a specific topic using the apropos command in MacOS, you can search for keywords related to that topic.

Terminal window
apropos topic

Can I search for commands with descriptions using apropos in MacOS?

Yes, you can search for commands along with their descriptions using the apropos command in MacOS by providing relevant keywords to search for.

Terminal window
apropos --long keyword

How do I search for commands in a specific section with apropos in MacOS?

To search for commands in a specific section using the apropos command in MacOS, you can specify the section number alongside the keyword.

Terminal window
apropos <keyword> <section_number>

Is there a way to display only exact matches with apropos in bash?

Yes, you can display only exact matches with the apropos command in bash by using the -w flag.

Terminal window
apropos -w keyword

Applications of the apropos command

  • Search for available commands and their descriptions
  • Find relevant commands based on keywords
  • Explore the functionalities of different commands
  • Discover how to use specific utilities or tools
  • Reference manual pages for various commands