10 Little-Known Linux Commands You Probably Missed

Unlock the Power of Your Terminal: Lesser-Known Linux Commands

Discover the final segment of our enlightening series on Lesser-Known Linux Commands! In this article, we round up ten practical commands that can significantly enhance your terminal efficiency. Whether you’re looking to check system information, manage processes, or troubleshoot network issues, these commands will elevate your Linux experience. Let’s dive in!

10 Essential Linux Commands to Master

42. lsb_release – Check Your Distro Info

The lsb_release command reveals crucial information about your Linux distribution, such as version, ID, and codename. Use it as follows:

lsb_release -a

If lsb_release is not installed, you can easily add it:

sudo apt install lsb-core  # Debian/Ubuntu
sudo yum install redhat-lsb  # RHEL/CentOS

Note: The -a option displays complete distribution details.

43. nc -zv localhost 80 – Check If a Port Is Open

The nc command (netcat) is invaluable for verifying whether a specific port is open:

nc -zv localhost 80

If successful, it indicates a web server is active:

Connection to localhost 80 port [tcp/http] succeeded!

44. curl ipinfo.io – Find Your Public IP & Location Info

If you need to find your public IP and location quickly, the curl command is the way to go:

curl ipinfo.io

This will provide essential details, including your IP address and geographical location, which can be crucial for network troubleshooting.

45. Find Files Owned by a Specific User in a Directory

The find command lets you locate files owned by a particular user:

find . -user root

Replace root with any username to find their files.

46. sudo apt build-dep – Automatically Install Build Dependencies

Easily install the necessary packages for compiling software with:

sudo apt build-dep ffmpeg

This saves time and avoids the frustration of missing dependency errors during installation.

47. lsof -iTCP:80 -sTCP:LISTEN – Check What’s Running on a Port

To see what processes are using specific TCP ports, utilize:

lsof -iTCP:80 -sTCP:LISTEN

This command lists all services actively listening on port 80, providing insights into your web server setup.

48. find -size +100M – Find Large Files Easily

Identify large files that may be consuming disk space:

find . -size +100M

For ultra-large files, try:

find . -size +1000M

49. pdftk – Merge Multiple PDF Files Into One

Merge multiple PDF documents effortlessly using pdftk, which you can install with:

sudo apt install pdftk

Combine files like so:

pdftk 1.pdf 2.pdf cat output merged.pdf

50. ps -LF -u – Check User Processes and Threads

To display all running processes and their threads for a specific user:

ps -LF -u ravi

51. Startx — :1 – Run Multiple Graphical Sessions

Utilize startx -- :1 to kick off a new graphical session without logging out of the current one—perfect for multitasking!

Use keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl + Alt + F7 to switch between sessions.

Conclusion

That concludes our series on Lesser-Known Linux Commands! We hope this collection of unique commands helps enhance your command-line capabilities. Have any hidden gems we didn’t mention? Feel free to share in the comments!

FAQ

Question 1: What are some common uses for the nc command?

The nc command is often used for checking open ports, file transfers, and simple chat systems between computers.

Question 2: How do I find the largest files on my Linux system?

Use the find command with the -size option to target large files. Example: find . -size +1G for files larger than 1GB.

Question 3: Can I manage multiple users in Linux?

Yes! Commands like startx allow multiple graphical sessions, enabling seamless user management and multitasking.

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