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Using the ls Command in the ChromeOS Linux Environment

The ls command in Linux is used to list the contents of a directory. It provides various options to display file details, sort files, and control the output format. This guide covers how to effectively use ls in the ChromeOS Linux (Crostini) environment.

Basic Usage

Listing Files in a Directory

To display the contents of the current directory:

ls

To list the contents of a specific directory:

ls /path/to/directory

Displaying Detailed Information

To show detailed information including file permissions, ownership, size, and modification time:

ls -l

Showing Hidden Files

To list all files, including hidden ones (files starting with .):

ls -a

To show both hidden and detailed information:

ls -la

Sorting by Modification Time

To list files sorted by modification time (newest first):

ls -lt

To reverse the order (oldest first):

ls -ltr

Sorting by File Size

To list files sorted by size (largest first):

ls -lS

To reverse the order:

ls -lSr

Displaying Human-Readable Sizes

To show file sizes in a human-readable format (KB, MB, GB):

ls -lh

Combining Options

Options can be combined to customize output. For example:

ls -lah

This command lists all files (including hidden ones) in a human-readable format with detailed information.

Practical Use Cases

  • Checking directory contents quickly: 
    ls ~/Downloads
  • Viewing file sizes in an understandable format: 
    ls -lh
  • Sorting files based on modification time: 
    ls -lt

Conclusion

The ls command is an essential tool for navigating the file system in the ChromeOS Linux environment. With various options to customize output, it provides a flexible way to manage and organize files effectively.