ls options (-l, -a, -h, -R) in Linux CLI - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the -l option do in the ls command?

The -l option shows a detailed list of files and directories. It includes permissions, number of links, owner, group, size, and modification date.

beginner

What is the purpose of the -a option in ls?

The -a option shows all files, including hidden files that start with a dot (.), which are normally not shown.

beginner

Explain what the -h option does when used with ls -l.

The -h option makes file sizes easier to read by showing them in human-friendly units like KB, MB, or GB instead of bytes.

intermediate

What does the -R option do in the ls command?

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

intermediate

How would you combine ls options to see all files with detailed info and human-readable sizes?

Use ls -lah. This shows all files including hidden ones (-a), detailed info (-l), and human-readable sizes (-h).

Which ls option shows hidden files?

A -l

B -h

C -a

D -R

The -a option shows all files, including hidden ones starting with a dot.

What does ls -lh display?

A List files with permissions only

B List only hidden files

C List files recursively

D List files with detailed info and human-readable sizes

-l shows detailed info and -h makes sizes human-readable.

Which option lists directory contents recursively?

A -R

B -h

C -l

D -a

The -R option lists all directories and subdirectories recursively.

What information does ls -l NOT show?

A File content

B File size

C File owner

D File permissions

ls -l shows metadata but not the actual content of files.

How do you show all files including hidden ones with detailed info?

A ls -a

B ls -la

C ls -l

D ls -h

ls -la combines -l for details and -a for hidden files.

Describe what each of these ls options does: -l, -a, -h, and -R.

Think about what you want to see: details, hidden files, easy sizes, or all folders inside folders.

How would you use ls options to list all files including hidden ones, with sizes easy to read, and detailed info?

Combine the options that show details, hidden files, and human-friendly sizes.