Unix and Linux commands help
Unix ABCs
Unix, which is not an acronym, was developed in the late 1960s by many of the same people who helped create the C programming language. Today, however, Unix is developed by many organizations, institutes, and individuals who have contributed significant additions to the modern Unix system.
Linux ABCs
Linux (pronounced "lee'nuhks" or li'nuks, but not li'nuhks) is the kernel of a free, open-source operating system. The Linux kernel was developed by Linus Torvalds and released in 1991. It provided the underlying foundations for an operating system, but it lacked the user-level tools to make it complete.
The GNU project, begun in 1983 by Richard Stallman, had similar aims, creating a set of open-source tools and utilities modeled on the closed-source Unix operating system. The GNU (GNU's Not Unix) project lacked an underlying kernel, however. After the Linux kernel was released, contributors ported GNU tools to the Linux kernel, and the GNU/Linux operating system was born.
There is significant controversy (even today) over whether to refer to this combined operating system as "GNU/Linux" or "Linux." However, the general populace has gravitated to the name "Linux," and this name has largely stuck. The contributions of the GNU project must not be overlooked, however. When you run an essential command in Linux, you are using a tool painstakingly created by members of the GNU project.
Over the years, Linux kernel development has grown to a group of over 10,000 developers all over the world. It is released under GPL (general public license), meaning it can be distributed, used, and expanded free of charge, and developers can view all the source code.
MS-DOS vs. Linux and Unix
If you are familiar with navigating a computer using MS-DOS or the Windows command line, Linux and Unix is easier to learn. The table below lists common MS-DOS commands with their Linux and Unix counterpart.
| MS-DOS | Linux and Unix |
|---|---|
| attrib | chmod |
| backup | tar |
| dir | ls |
| cls | clear |
| copy | cp |
| del | rm |
| deltree | rm -R rmdir |
| edit | vi pico |
| format | fdformat, mount, and umount |
| move and rename | mv |
| Type | less <file> |
| cd | cd chdir |
| more < file | more file |
| md | mkdir |
| win | startx |
Linux and Unix commands
Use the man command to view additional information about a specific command for your Unix or Linux variant.