---
title: "Top Unix Commands for Beginners – Part 1"
description: "Top UNIX Commands. https://srinimf.com/2017/03/17/the-best-unix-command-for-files/. cat - display or concatenate files. cd - change directory. chmod - change the permissions on a file or directory. co..."
url: https://srinimf.com/2015/04/21/ultra-basic-unix-commands-part-1/
date: 2015-04-21
modified: 2026-10-10
author: "Srini"
image: https://i0.wp.com/srinimf.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/pexels-photo-3184611.jpeg?fit=1880%2C1253&ssl=1
categories: ["UNIX"]
tags: ["Unix Basic Commands", "Unix Commands Cheat Sheet"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# Top Unix Commands for Beginners – Part 1

**[Top UNIX](https://srinimf.com/2017/02/25/top-13-proven-unix-commands-absolutely-helpful-for-files/) Commands**

Related[29 Top Linux Commands You Need Hands-on](https://srinimf.com/2017/03/17/the-best-unix-command-for-files/)

cat – display or concatenate files

cd – change directory

chmod – change the permissions on a file or directory

compress – compress a file

cp – copy a file date – display the current date and time

diff – display differences between text files

echo – echo arguments to the standard output

file – determine the type of a file

find – find files of a specified name or type

finger – display information about a user

ftp – file transfer program

grep – searches files for a specified string or expression

kill – kill a process

lpr – print out a file

ls – list names of files in a directory

man – display an on-line manual page

mkdir – make a directory

more – scan through a text file page by page

mv – move or rename files or directories

nice – change the priority at which a job is being run

passwd – change your password

ps – list processes

pwd – display the name of your current directory

quota – disk quota and usage

rm – remove files or directories

rmdir – remove a directory

sort – sort and collate lines

talk – talk to another user

wc – display a count of lines, words and characters

**cat – display or concatenate files **

cat takes a copy of a file and sends it to the standard output (i.e. to be displayed on your terminal, unless redirected elsewhere), so it is generally used either to read files, or to string together copies of several files, writing the output to a new file.

cat ex displays the contents of the file

ex. cat ex1ex2 > newex

creates a new file newex containing copies of ex1 and ex2, with the contents of ex2 following the contents of ex1.

Related Posts

- [29 Top Linux Commands You Need Hands-on](https://srinimf.com/2017/03/17/the-best-unix-command-for-files/)DateMarch 17, 2017
- [UNIX in 10 Minutes – Programmer’s Friend](https://srinimf.com/2014/04/24/unix-in-10-minutes/)DateApril 24, 2014
- [Unix Scripting: Top Ideas to Write Easily](https://srinimf.com/2017/05/02/unix-script-examples/)DateMay 2, 2017

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