In Linux, the “help” command is a built-in shell command that provides a brief overview of the available shell commands and their basic usage. It displays a summary of commands built into the shell, as well as a subset of commonly used external commands.
To use the “help” command, follow these steps:
- Open a Terminal: Launch a terminal emulator on your Linux system.
- Type the “help” command: Simply type “help” followed by the command or topic for which you need assistance. For example, to get help with the “cd” command, run:
help cd
3. View the Help Information: The “help” command will display the relevant help information for the specified command or topic. It typically includes a brief description of the command, its syntax, and available options.
4. Explore Other Help Topics: If you want a list of available commands or need assistance with the shell’s internal commands, simply run the “help” command without any arguments:
help
This will display a list of shell commands along with a brief description of each command.
5. Exit the Help System: To exit the help system and return to the command prompt, press “q” on your keyboard.
The “help” command is a quick and convenient way to get an overview of commands and their basic usage within the shell environment. It provides concise information about command syntax, options, and general usage guidelines. Keep in mind that the “help” command is specific to the shell, and some commands may not have associated help information available. For more detailed information, you can consult the manual pages using the “man” command, as discussed earlier.