Some handy UNIX Commands for Software Testing

1. Reads 1 or more files & print them to standard output:

cat [files]

Examples:

cat file1

cat file1 file2>all

cat file1>>file2

2. Command that changes directory:

cd [dir]

Examples:

cd tech

cd /tech

3. Command to change access mode of 1 or multiple files:

chmod [options] mode files

Examples:

chmod 755 file1

chmod u=rwx,g=rx,o=rx file1                            -- read, write & execute access                       

chmod -w file1                                                     -- removes write access

4. How to ftp:

ftp [options] [hostname]

Examples:

ftp -v hostname1                                                  -- display all server responses

Username: rnath

Password: passme1

ftp> pwd                                                                -- find path of the current remote directory

ftp> cd /pub/HPSC                                               -- Remote machine change directory

ftp> ls                                                                     -- List files in remote machine

ftp> lcd /pub/HPSC                                              -- Local machine change directory

ftp> get file1 file2                                                -- copy remote file1 into local as file2

ftp> mget*                                                            -- Copies multiple files (everything from the current directory)

ftp> put file3 file 4                                               -- copy local file into remote

ftp> mput*                                                            -- Copies multiple files (everything from the current directory)

ftp> bye                                                                 -- Exit FTP

ftp> quit                                                                 -- Same as buy. Exit FTP

5. Search File Contents based on patterns

grep [options] pattern [files]

Examples:

grep -i abc file1                                                    -- Ignore case sensitivity

grep -c abc file1                                                   -- Display number of matched lines

grep -W abc file1                                                 -- Match the whole word

6. Finding files

find search_path -name filename

Examples:

find / -name file1.txt                           -- find file1.txt anywhere in the system

find . -name file1.txt                            -- find file1.txt anywhere in the current directory or sub directories

7. Killing a process

kill [options] ID

Examples:

kill -9 12345                                                          -- kill signal number 9 of process id 12345

8. List all the files in a directory that matches the name. If name of directory is not mentioned, list out all files in current directory.

ls [options] [dir_name]

Examples:

ls -a                                                                         -- display all files

ls -c                                                                         -- display files with timestamp

ls -l                                                                          -- display log format listing

ls -r                                                                         -- displays files in reverse order

ls -t                                                                          -- displays newest files first (based on timestamp)

9. Create directories

mkdir [options] directories

Examples:

mkdir -m 755 dir1                                                -- creates dir1 with access 755

mkdir -p tech/abc/dir1                                       -- if parent directories do not exist, this command creates them

10. For moving and renaming files.

mv [options] sources target

Examples:

mv -f abc/xyz                                                        -- forces the change

mv -i abc/xyz                                                         -- ask for permission before changing

11. Changing password

passwd [user]

Examples:

passwd rnath       

12. Displaying the active processes

ps [options]

Examples:

ps -e                                                                       -- display all processes

ps -f                                                                        -- display a full listing

ps -l                                                                         -- display a long listing

ps -ulist                                                                  -- display data for the list of usernames

ps -plist                                                                  -- display data for the list of process IDs

ps -ef

13. Finding full path of the current directory

pwd

14. Displaying the last few lines of a file

tail [options] [files]

Examples:

tail -f file1                                                              -- displays last 10 lines of the file

tail -r file1                                                              -- displays the lines in reverse order

tail -20 file1                                                           -- displays last 20 lines of the file

  

15. Displaying first few lines of a file

head [options] [files]

Examples:

head -f file1                                                          -- displays first 10 lines of the file

head -r file1                                                          -- displays the lines in reverse order

head -20 file1                                                       -- displays first 20 lines of the file

16. Progressively dump a file to the screen:

more filename

Examples:

more file1             -- Progressively dump a file to the screen: ENTER = one line down, SPACEBAR = page, down  q=quit

17. Launch the text editor:

vi [options] [files]

Examples:

vi + file1                                                                 -- position the cursor at the last line of the file in vi

vi +5 file1                                                              -- position the cursor at the 5th line of the file in vi

vi -R file1                                                               -- Read Only mode

18. To enter vi command mode:

[esc]

19. Cursor Movement in vi

h                     -- move left (backspace)

j                     -- move down

k                     -- move up

l                     -- move right (spacebar)

20. Inserting in vi

r                      -- replace character under cursor with next character typed

R                          -- keep replacing character until [esc] is hit

i                      -- insert before cursor

a                      -- append after cursor

A                         -- append at end of line

O                     -- open line above cursor and enter append mode

21. Deleting in vi

x                                                                             -- delete character under cursor

dd                                                                           -- delete line under cursor

dw                                                                          -- delete word under cursor

db                                                                          -- delete word before cursor

22. Copying Code in vi

yy      -- (yank)'copies' line which may then be put by the p(put) command. Precede with a count for multiple lines.

23. Put Command in vi

brings back previous deletion or yank of lines, words, or characters

P                     -- bring back before cursor

p                      -- bring back after cursor

24. Find Commands in vi

?                     -- finds a word going backwards

/                     -- finds a word going forwards

25. Repeat last command in vi

.                    -- repeat last command

26. Getting out of vi editor:

:q!                                                                           -- quit vi without saving

:w                                                                            -- save changes

:wq                                                                         -- save & quit

27. Display the current user name

whoami

28. Search a person’s details, organization, login etc.

whois name