Reference: ls
Author: Daniel Gilly & the Staff of O'Reilly & Associates
Date: 1998-08-06T21:53:38Z

#

| Chapter 2 UNIX Commands |

## ls

    ls [options] [names]

If no `names` are given, list the files in the current directory. With one or more `names`, list files contained in a directory `name` or that match a file `name`. `names` can include filename metacharacters. The options let you display a variety of information in different formats. The most useful options include -F, -R, -l, and -s. Some options don't make sense together; e.g., -u and -c.

### Options

-a

  List all files, including the normally hidden `.` files.

-b

  Show nonprinting characters in octal.

-c

  List files by creation/modification time.

-C

  List files in columns (the default format).

-d

  List only the directory name, not its contents.

-f

  Interpret each `name` as a directory (files are ignored).

-F

  Flag filenames by appending `/` to directories, `*` to executable files, and @ to symbolic links. `@` to symbolic links, and `=` to sockets.

-g

  Like -l, but omit owner name (show group). Add group name to -l listing.

-i

  List the inode for each file.

-l

  Long format listing (includes permissions, owner, size, modification time, etc.).

-L

  List the file or directory referenced by a symbolic link rather than the link itself.

-m

  Merge the list into a comma-separated series of names.

-n

  Like -l, but use GID and UID numbers instead of owner and group names.

-o

  Like -l, but omit group name (show owner).

-p

  Mark directories by appending `/` to them.

-q

  Show nonprinting characters as `?`.

-r

  List files in reverse order (by name or by time).

-R

  Recursively list subdirectories as well as current directory.

-s

  Print size of the files in blocks. in kilobytes.

-t

  List files according to modification time (newest first).

-u

  List files according to the file access time.

-x

  List files in rows going across the screen.

-1

  Print one entry per line of output.

### Examples

List all files in the current directory and their sizes; use multiple columns and mark special files:

>     ls -asCF

List the status of directories /bin and /etc:

>     ls -ld /bin /etc

List C source files in the current directory, the oldest first:

>     ls -rt *.c

Count the files in the current directory:

>     ls | wc -l

Reference: lptest |  | Reference: m4