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whatis

file managementLinux/Unix
The whatis command is one of the most frequently used commands in Linux/Unix-like operating systems. whatis Sample fallback description for whatis
See ExamplesView Syntax

Quick Reference

Command Name:

whatis

Category:

file management

Platform:

Linux/Unix

Basic Usage:

whatis [options] [arguments]

Common Use Cases

  • 1

    Command description

    Display a one-line description of a command

  • 2

    Quick reference

    Get a brief overview of a command

  • 3

    Learning

    Learn about new commands and utilities

  • 4

    Scripting

    Use in shell scripts to dynamically retrieve command descriptions

Syntax

whatis [OPTION]... [FILE]...

Options

Option Description
-l Use a long listing format
-a Show hidden entries starting with .
-h Human-readable sizes
-R List subdirectories recursively

Examples

How to Use These Examples

The examples below show common ways to use the whatis command. Try them in your terminal to see the results. You can copy any example by clicking on the code block.

Basic Examples:

ls
List files in the current directory.
ls -l
List files in long format with details.
ls -a
List all files including hidden ones.

Advanced Examples:

ls -lah Detailed list with human-readable sizes. ls -R List directories recursively.

Try It Yourself

Practice makes perfect! The best way to learn is by trying these examples on your own system with real files.

Understanding Syntax

Pay attention to the syntax coloring: commands, options, and file paths are highlighted differently.

Notes

These are sample notes for the whatis command.

Tips & Tricks

1

Use the -w option to display the manual page location

2

Use the -s section option to search in specific sections

3

Use the -h option to display help

4

Use the -v option to display version information

5

Use the -l option to display long descriptions

Common Use Cases

Command description

Display a one-line description of a command

Quick reference

Get a brief overview of a command

Learning

Learn about new commands and utilities

Scripting

Use in shell scripts to dynamically retrieve command descriptions

Documentation

Access basic documentation for installed software

Related Commands

These commands are frequently used alongside whatis or serve similar purposes:

man
apropos
info
makewhatis
mandb
help
pinfo
Explore All Commands

Use Cases

1

Command description

Display a one-line description of a command

2

Quick reference

Get a brief overview of a command

3

Learning

Learn about new commands and utilities

4

Scripting

Use in shell scripts to dynamically retrieve command descriptions

5

Documentation

Access basic documentation for installed software

Learn By Doing

The best way to learn Linux commands is by practicing. Try out these examples in your terminal to build muscle memory and understand how the whatis command works in different scenarios.

See ExamplesTry Lab Exercises
$ whatis
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