Viewing file and directory details using the ls command

The ls command is used to list files in a directory, and it is similar to the dir command in DOS. This command can be used with various parameters to give different results.

Getting ready

Since the ls command is a built-in command of Linux, we don't need to install anything else to use it.

How to do it…

Now, let's take a look at how we can use ls in different ways to get a variety of results by just following these given steps:

1. To take a look at the simple listing of files in a current directory, type ls:
   
2. To get more information about the files and directories listed using the ls command, add a type identifier, as shown here:
   

   When the preceding identifier is used, the executable files have an asterisk at the end of the name, while the directories have a slash, and so on.

3. To check out details of files, such as the creation dates, owners, and permissions, run the command with the l identifier, as shown here:
   
4. To find a listing...