How to Use the join command on Linux
If you want to merge data from two text files by matching a common field, you can use the Linux join command. It adds a sprinkle of dynamism to your static data files. We’ll show you how to use it....
How to Use netstat on Linux
The Linux netstat command gives you a treasure-trove of information about your network connections, the ports that are in use, and the processes using them. Learn how to use it.
How to Parse JSON Files on the Linux Command Line with jq
JSON is one of the most popular formats for transferring text-based data around the web. It’s everywhere, and you’re bound to come across it. We’ll show you how to handle it from the Linux command line using...
Linux File Timestamps Explained: atime, mtime, and ctime
When does “changed” not mean “modified”? When we’re talking about Linux file timestamps. In this guide, we’ll explain how the system updates them, and how to alter them yourself....
How to Use the fold Command on Linux
The Linux fold command brings unruly output to heel. Read wide chunks of text, endless strings, and unformatted streams by controlling the width of the output. Learn how.
How to Use the uniq Command on Linux
The Linux uniq command whips through your text files looking for unique or duplicate lines. In this guide, we cover its versatility and features, as well as how you can make the most of this nifty utility....
How to Check Which GPU Is Installed on Linux
Need to identify the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) in a Linux computer? Here’s how you can identify the graphics card from the command line and in GNOME.
How to Use journalctl to Read Linux System Logs
Linux system logging changed with the introduction of systemd. Learn how to use the journalctl command to read and filter system log messages.
How to Use the grep Command on Linux
The Linux grep command is a string and pattern matching utility that displays matching lines from multiple files. It also works with piped output from other commands. We show you how.
How to Use the tail Command on Linux
The Linux tail command displays data from the end of a file. It can even display updates that are added to a file in real-time. We show you how to use it.
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About inodes on Linux
The Linux file system relies on inodes. These vital pieces of the file system’s inner workings are often misunderstood. Let’s look at exactly what they are, and what they do.
How to Use the history Command on Linux
Linux’s shell saves a history of the commands you run, and you can search it to repeat commands you’ve run in the past. Once you understand the Linux history command and how to use it, it can significantly boost y...
How to Upgrade From Windows 7 to Linux
If you’re still using Windows 7 because you just don’t like Windows 10, that’s understandable. But there’s an alternative upgrade path: You can install Linux on your PC for free, and you’ll have ...
How to Use at and batch on Linux to Schedule Commands
If you want to schedule a Linux job that will happen only once, cron is overkill. The at family of commands is what you need! And if you want to run processes only when your system has free resources, you can use batch....
How to Use rclone to Back Up to Google Drive on Linux
There’s still no official Linux client for Google Drive, but you can back up to your Google Drive using the rclone utility right from the command line. We show you how.
How to Create a Swap File on Linux
Add swap space to a Linux computer, or increase the swap space that’s already present, without messing about with partitions. We show you the easy way to tailor your swap space.
How to Use the free Command on Linux
The Linux free command displays how much of your computer’s memory is in use and how much is still available for programs to use. Its output can be confusing to the uninitiated, but we’ll show you how to understan...
How to Use the stat Command on Linux
The Linux stat command shows you much more detail than ls does. Take a peek behind the curtain with this informative and configurable utility. We’ll show you how to use it.
The Ultimate Guide to Enabling Dark Mode Everywhere
We’re big fans of Dark mode, so we’ve written lots of articles on how to use it in various apps, browsers, and operating systems. For your convenience, here’s everything you can switch to dark mode and how ...
How to Use the which Command on Linux
The Linux which command identifies the executable binary that launches when you issue a command to the shell. If you have different versions of the same program on your computer, you can use which to find out which one the sh...
How to Get the Size of a File or Directory in Linux
When you use the Linux du command, you obtain both the actual disk usage and the true size of a file or directory. We’ll explain why these values aren’t the same.
What Is Swappiness on Linux? (and How to Change It)
The Linux swappiness value has nothing to do with how much RAM is used before swapping starts. That’s a widely reported and widely believed mistake. We explain what it really is.
How to Use the dmesg Command on Linux
The dmesg command lets you peer into the hidden world of the Linux startup processes. Review and monitor hardware device and driver messages from the kernel’s own ring buffer with “the fault finder’s friend...
How to Use the ls Command to List Files and Directories on Linux
We use the Linux ls command every day without thinking about it. That’s a pity. Pay it some attention, and you’ll find many useful options—including some you should add to your command-line arsenal....
How to Change User Data With chfn and usermod on Linux
There’s more to a user account than a user name. Learn how to set and change all the metadata associated with a Linux user account from the command line.
