Linux ls command

What is the ls Command?

If you type the lscommand in your terminal, it lists all the files and folders inside the current directory you are working in.

Syntax:

ls [-a] [-l] [-lh] [-R] [file_or_directory]

Example:

Let’s say I have some files and folders that I created using the terminal. After some time, if I want to see these files and directories but forget their names, I can type the lscommand to list them.

Files and directories created:

• file1.txt
• file2.txt
• file3.txt
• .hiddenfile # hidden file (indicated by .)
• docs/ # subdirectory (folder inside the current directory)

Without Option:

Output:

$ ls
file1.txt
file2.txt
file3.txt
docs

With Options:

1. ls -a:
This command displays all files and folders, including hidden files (those starting with a .).

Output:

$ ls -a
. .. file1.txt file2.txt file3.txt .hiddenfile docs

2. ls -l:
It lists all files, folders, and subfolders vertically with their permissions (read, write, execute), owner (user), group, size, and date & time.

Output:

$ ls -l
-rw-r--r-- 1 user group 1200 Aug 25 10:20 file1.txt
-rw-r--r-- 1 user group 2450 Aug 25 10:21 file2.txt
-rw-r--r-- 1 user group 980 Aug 25 10:22 file3.txt
drwxr-xr-x 2 user group 4097 Aug 25 10:26 docs
-rw-r--r-- 1 user group 50 Aug 25 10:24 .hiddenfile

3. ls -lh:
This command is similar to ls -l, but it displays the sizes of files and folders in human-readable format, such as KB, MB, etc.

Output:

$ ls -lh
-rw-r--r-- 1 user group 1.2K Aug 25 10:20 file1.txt
-rw-r--r-- 1 user group 2.4K Aug 25 10:21 file2.txt
-rw-r--r-- 1 user group 980B Aug 25 10:22 file3.txt
drwxr-xr-x 2 user group 4.0K Aug 25 10:23 docs
-rw-r--r-- 1 user group 50B Aug 25 10:24 .hiddenfile

4. ls -R:
When you run this command on a directory, it lists the contents of that directory and all its subdirectories recursively.

Output:

$ ls -R
.:
file1.txt file2.txt file3.txt docs .hiddenfile

./docs:
notes.txt report.pdf

Note:

• To use any command, type the command name followed by a space and then the folder name, such as: ls folder_name.
• The dollar sign $ represents the terminal prompt before a command.