ls command

About ls

Lists the contents of a directory.

Syntax

ls [Option] [pathnames]

Option

-a

Shows you all files, even files that are hidden (these files begin with a dot.)

-A

List all files including the hidden files. However, does not display the working directory (.) or the parent directory (..).

-b

Force printing of non-printable characters to be in octal \ddd notation.

-c

Use time of last modification of the i-node (file created, mode changed, and so forth) for sorting (-t) or printing (-l or -n).

-C

Multi-column output with entries sorted down the columns. Generally this is the default option.

-d     

If an argument is a directory it only lists its name not its contents.

-f      

Force each argument to be interpreted as a directory and list the name found in each slot. This option turns off -l, -t, -s, and -r, and turns on -a; the order is the order in which entries appear in the directory.

-F

Mark directories with a trailing slash (/), doors with a trailing greater-than sign (>), executable files with a trailing asterisk (*), FIFOs with a trailing vertical bar (|), symbolic links with a trailing at-sign (@), and AF_Unix address family sockets with a trailing equals sign (=).

-g

Same as -l except the owner is not printed.

-I

For each file, print the i-node number in the first column of the report.

-l

Shows you huge amounts of information (permissions, owners, size, and when last modified.)

-L

If an argument is a symbolic link, list the file or directory the link references rather than the link itself.

-m

Stream output format; files are listed across the page, separated by commas.

-n

The same as -l, except that the owner's UID and group's GID numbers are printed, rather than the associated character strings.

-o

The same as -l, except that the group is not printed.

-p

Displays a slash ( / ) in front of all directories.

-q

Force printing of non-printable characters in file names as the character question mark (?).

-r

Reverses the order of how the files are displayed.

-R

Includes the contents of subdirectories.

-s

Give size in blocks, including indirect blocks, for each entry.

-t

Shows you the files in modification time.

-u

Use time of last access instead of last modification for sorting (with the -t option) or printing (with the -l option).

-x

Displays files in columns.

-1

Print one entry per line of output.