help with linux commands

jld9 · 10-23-2007, 06:21 PM

I am extremely new to linux and have a bunch of question to get me started in the right direction.

1. Which command shows which terminal you are currently viewing?

2. What command creates an empty file?

3. How do you update the time stamp of a file without changing the contents?

4. What command do you use to change the runlevels?

5. What command is used to view current runlevels?

6. I am having trouble finding which section of the manual that list commands that only the root can execute. Any Suggestions?

7. I keep seeing a couple of files on this that I don't know what they are the first one is /us/bin/passwd and also /etc/passwd. What the heck are these?

8. I do I rename a file?

9.

Tinkster · 10-23-2007, 06:39 PM

Hi, and welcome to LQ!

[edit]
The OP assures me in a private e-Mail that this is NOT
homework ... thread re-opened
[/edit]

Cheers,
Tink

Tinkster · 10-23-2007, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jld9

I am extremely new to linux and have a bunch of question to get me started in the right direction.

1. Which command shows which terminal you are currently viewing?

who am I

Quote:

Originally Posted by jld9

2. What command creates an empty file?

touch

Quote:

Originally Posted by jld9

3. How do you update the time stamp of a file without changing the contents?

touch

Quote:

Originally Posted by jld9

4. What command do you use to change the runlevels?

init or telinit

Quote:

Originally Posted by jld9

5. What command is used to view current runlevels?

runlevel

Quote:

Originally Posted by jld9

6. I am having trouble finding which section of the manual that list commands that only the root can execute. Any Suggestions?

section 8

Quote:

Originally Posted by jld9

7. I keep seeing a couple of files on this that I don't know what they are the first one is /us/bin/passwd and also /etc/passwd. What the heck are these?

the first is the executable that lets you change a password,
the second is a file that holds your account information

Quote:

Originally Posted by jld9

8. I do I rename a file?

mv

And this still smacks of homework :D If you were as new
as you say you are you wouldn't know what to ask for in
respect to the stuff you're asking for (e.g. the term
runlevel or section of man would never occur to you).

Cheers,
Tink

dxqcanada · 10-23-2007, 07:23 PM

Actually the "whoami" command will display your login name.

"tty" will display the TTY device name you are currently attached to.

FYI: "whatis" and "man" are great tools

Tinkster · 10-23-2007, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dxqcanada

Actually the "whoami" command will display your login name.

Actually

Code:

whoami

is distinct from

Code:

who am i

which will give you your tty as well ...

Cheers,
Tink

dxqcanada · 10-23-2007, 07:34 PM

I stand corrected.

The "who" command does display the runlevel and all users logged in on what TTY's.

Trio3b · 10-23-2007, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinkster

who am I

And this still smacks of homework

If you were as new
as you say you are you wouldn't know what to ask for in
respect to the stuff you're asking for (e.g. the term
runlevel or section of man would never occur to you).

Cheers,
Tink

Sorry, had to chuckle........ how very true. I've been tinkering for two years now and would not have thought to ask about some of these. Good eye Tink... but now you're contributing to delinquency..

Tinkster · 10-23-2007, 07:45 PM

Well ... he assured me he's using this for home. ;}

Cheers,
Tink