ls (list files and directories) in Linux CLI - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the ls command do in Linux?

The ls command lists files and directories in the current folder or a specified path.

beginner

How do you list all files, including hidden ones, using ls?

Use ls -a to show all files, including those starting with a dot (hidden files).

beginner

What does the -l option do with ls?

The -l option shows a detailed list with permissions, owner, size, and modification date.

intermediate

How can you list files sorted by modification time using ls?

Use ls -lt to list files sorted by modification time, newest first.

intermediate

What does ls -R do?

The -R option lists directories and their contents recursively, showing all nested files and folders.

Which ls option shows hidden files?

A -R

B -l

C -t

D -a

The -a option includes hidden files (those starting with a dot).

What does ls -l display?

A Detailed info like permissions and size

B Hidden files only

C Files sorted by size

D Only file names

-l shows detailed information about files and directories.

How do you list files sorted by modification time, newest first?

A ls -R

B ls -lt

C ls -a

D ls -lh

ls -lt sorts files by modification time, newest first.

Which command lists all files and directories inside subfolders too?

A ls -R

B ls -a

C ls -l

D ls -t

ls -R lists contents recursively inside all subdirectories.

What does the plain ls command show by default?

A All files including hidden

B Only directories

C Files and directories except hidden files

D Detailed file info

Plain ls lists files and directories except hidden ones.

Explain how to use ls to see detailed info about all files, including hidden ones.

Combine options to get detailed and hidden files listed.

Describe how to list files recursively in all subdirectories using ls.

Think about how to see inside folders inside folders.