List Files and Folders

ls

The ls command is probably the one that people find themselves using the most. After all, before you can manipulate and use files in a directory, you first have to know what files are available. That's where ls comes in, as it lists the files and subdirectories found in a directory.

Note

The ls command might sound simplejust show me the files!but there are a surprising number of permutations to this amazingly pliable command, as you'll see.

Typing ls lists the contents of the directory in which you're currently located. When you first log in to your shell, you'll find yourself in your home directory. Enter ls, and you might see something like the following:

$ ls alias Desktop   iso   pictures program_files todo bin   documents music podcasts src           videos