I Learn Linux Video Tutorials - Free Linux Training Articles
 
Clyde Boom, Author, I Learn Linux Video Tutorials on Linux Training CDs or for Linux Online Training
Clyde Boom
The Easy Linux
Training Guy!
With 20+ years of
Training Successes
Sign Up For
FREE
I Learn Linux News
to receive technical tips,
new video samples
and updates on Linux.
Email:
Name:
Privacy Policy:
We will not distribute
your email address
to anyone. Period!
Clyde Boom, Bio, Author, 20 years of practical computer training experience and Linux training experience
 
Click Here to Watch Free Sample "General Linux / Ubuntu Linux" Video Tutorials
Click Here to Watch Free Sample "Linux Admin & Commands" Video Tutorials
I Learn Linux Video Tutorials - Testimonials for Linux Courses and Linux Training - from CD and from Online Viewing
< Back to Free - I Learn Linux Training Articles - List
 

Using the man Command with Examples of Options - A Hands-On Linux Tutorial


  Article Summary:  This Linux command tutorial shows you examples of how to run the Linux man command. Learn how to use Linux commands - and watch free sample videos!  

This Linux command tutorial shows you some examples of how to run the Linux man command using popular, commonly used command options.

The Linux man Command


The Linux man command is used to view Linux "man pages" and these "man" (for "manual") pages describe thousands of Linux commands and concepts.

  Linux Tips:  The Linux man pages are written in "geek-speak" and are tricky to read and understand.  

Once you've been working with Linux for a while (and you're no longer a new Linux user), you will want to be able to use the man command to quickly do things like: look up a Linux command option, learn a new Linux concept, find out about various directories and files in the Linux file system, and learn about the settings in Linux text (configuration) file.

Linux man Command Tutorial - Showing Examples of Using man Command Options


The Linux command examples shown below have been designed to work with all Linux distributions (versions). And if you run all these Linux commands yourself, you'll have a mini Linux command tutorial.

So fire up Linux and give it a try - it's a great way to get Linux training!

Linux man Command Tutorial - Using the Man Command without Any Options


To learn about a single Linux command, like the find command, use the following example and replace "find" with the name of the Linux command you need to learn more about.

          ]$  man   find

This will display the "man" page for the find command.

  Free Sample Linux Training Videos - CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW!

 
  The "General Linux (Ubuntu Linux) Training Videos" show you: running your browser and downloading Linux, updating your Ubuntu Linux system, and installing popular Linux software programs, using the Nautilus file manager to manage Linux data files and folders - and lots more!

The "Linux Administration & Commands" videos show you how to run Linux in Windows, how to get to the Linux command line prompt, and how to run over 100 - yes, over 100! - Linux commands (with lots of examples of commonly used command line options).

 

A Practical Linux man Command Example - Using the Man Command with the -f Option


Let's say it's absolutely necessary to see all of the man pages that are available on the mkdir command, but there is more than one man page (file) for this Linux command.

  Linux Tips:  The man pages that are available to you are dependant on the Linux distribution (version) you are using and on the number of Linux software programs you have installed on your system. More Linux software programs = more man pages to describe the programs (and concepts).  

To see all of the man pages for a Linux command or concept, use the -f option of the man command as shown in the example below.

          ]$  man   -f   mkdir

On some Linux systems, the output (on the screen) of the above command will be:

          mkdir  (1)  -  make directories
          mkdir  (2)  -  create a directorie

  Linux Tips:  Some Linux systems will only have one man page for the mkdir command.  

This output shows you that there are two man pages for the mkdir command. Notice that a (1) and (2) appears in the output for the mkdir command.

  Linux Tips:  If you just ran the command:   man  mkdir   rather than using the -f option, then you would only see one man page and you would be missing all the info on the other man page(s).  

Linux man Command Example - Specifying the Man Page Number with the Man Command


If there is more than one man page and you want to see a specific man page, you need to specify the man page number that you want to see. Otherwise, you will just see the first man page.

For example, to see man page 2 for the mkdir command, you run the following Linux command.

          ]$  man   2   mkdir

If you just ran the above command without the number 2 in it, you would see man page 1 and never see man page 2.

Beyond This "Linux Command Tutorials" Article


Man pages can be useful once you get to know how to use Linux a bit. But most people don't usually understand man pages until they've been working with Linux for a while.

As part of your Linux training, you also need to learn how to use the man command to: search for a "string" of text in multiple man pages, search for text in a "section" of man pages and also search for specific text within a man page.

A common and useful Linux training method for a new Linux user is to use a simple Linux book (or Linux ebook) or get some Linux video tutorials. Linux videos are an excellent way to get easy Linux training. Just watch a bit, pause, and then try the Linux task or command yourself.
 
  Now you can click on the links below to:

        watch some free sample Linux video tutorials

          get more information on I Learn Linux Video Tutorials

          read some more Linux training articles!


Wishing you the best of success!

          - Clyde Boom, The Easy Linux Training Guy!

 
  I Learn Linux Video Tutorials - Testimonials for Linux Training - from CD and from Online Viewing  
 

General Linux / Ubuntu Linux Training Videos

 
 

Linux Admin & Commands Training Videos

 
 
Got Questions?
 
 
Call Us! at 1-800-718-7318
 
 
Or call +1-905-857-7177
 
 
(outside North America)
 
 
Or - Just send an email to:
 
 
ClydeBoom@iLearnLinux.com
 
 
Call Us! We're ready to help!
 
 
< Back to Free - I Learn Linux Training Articles - List
 
  New! - BONUS: Automatic 30 Day access to Online Viewing when you order on CD - so you can watch your Linux videos until your CD arrives   BONUS:  With every CD order - you automatically get 30 Days of immediate access (24 x 7) to Online Viewing - so you can Log In and watch your Linux Videos - Online - right away - until your CD arrives.  Yes! - It's Easy!  

Watch Free General Linux / Ubuntu Linux Training Video Samples

Get Info on General Linux / Ubuntu Linux Training

Order Now - General Linux / Ubuntu Linux
Training Videos

Watch Free Linux Admin & Commands Video Samples

Get Info on Linux Admin & Commands Training

Order Now - Linux Admin & Commands
Training Videos
Get Your For Free
--- I Learn Linux News ---
Newsletter
(Just Put Your Name & Email At the Top Left)
I Learn Linux Video Tutorials - Testimonials from very satisfied Linux Training Customers
< Back to I Learn Linux - Home
Lancom Technologies
Easy, self-paced Linux Training - in Plain English!
Web Site: www.iLearnLinux.com   |   Email: ClydeBoom@iLearnLinux.com
150 South Eighth Street, P.O. Box 1438, Lewiston, NY 14092-8438 USA
5468 Dundas Street West, P.O. Box 807, Toronto, Ontario M9B 6E3 Canada
Toll Free: 1-800-718-7318   |   Outside North America: +1-905-857-7177
Copyright © 2008 Lancom Technologies. All rights reserved.