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Asked: 2024-09-25T16:40:53+05:30 In: ,

What is the equivalent command to clear the terminal screen in Ubuntu, similar to the cls command in Windows Command Prompt?

I was messing around with the terminal on my Ubuntu machine the other day, and I stumbled upon something that got me a bit confused. You know how in Windows Command Prompt, you can just type `cls` to clear the screen and have a fresh workspace? Pretty handy for when you’re trying to focus or just want to get rid of all that clutter from previous commands.

So, here’s the thing: I was trying to find the equivalent command in Ubuntu, but I kept drawing a blank. I mean, I know there’s a bunch of commands that do all sorts of wild stuff in Linux, but I couldn’t remember the straightforward one for clearing the terminal. You would think it would be something super simple, right? I mean, Linux has its quirks, but sometimes it feels like you have to jump through hoops to get the basic stuff done.

I tried some guesses like `clear` and `reset`, but I wasn’t certain if those were the right commands or if they did something slightly different. I did some digging online, but with so many commands and terminal commands floating around, it was a bit overwhelming. Plus, I noticed that even among my Linux-loving friends, there were mixed opinions on the whole thing. Some folks were throwing out suggestions like `Ctrl + L`, which I thought was a keyboard shortcut or something.

So, I figured I’d ask around—what’s the go-to command for clearing the terminal screen in Ubuntu? Is it really just `clear`, or is there some hidden gem I’m missing? What do you all use? Any tips for navigating these command line quirks would be awesome. Sometimes it feels like Linux is this giant treasure chest of commands, and I’m just trying to find the ones that do the simple, everyday tasks without all the fuss. Hoping to get the inside scoop from all of you terminal wizards out there!

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    2 Answers



    1. Clearing the Terminal in Ubuntu

      So, you’re looking to clear the terminal in Ubuntu? It’s actually pretty straightforward! You guessed it right with clear—that’s the main command for clearing the terminal screen. Just type clear and hit enter, and voila! Your terminal should be nice and tidy.

      And yes, reset is a command too, but it does a bit more than just clear the screen; it resets the terminal to its default state, which might not always be necessary. So, stick with clear for just clearing the clutter.

      As for the keyboard shortcut, Ctrl + L is a quick way to achieve the same effect—it’s like magic! It clears the terminal for you without having to type anything.

      So, in a nutshell, you’ve got two great options: use clear or hit Ctrl + L. No hidden gems here, just some handy little commands to keep your workspace neat. Enjoy your command line adventures!


    2. In Ubuntu and other Linux distributions, the primary command to clear the terminal screen is indeed clear. When you type this command, it clears the visible content of the terminal window, giving you a fresh workspace to work with, much like cls does in Windows Command Prompt. It’s a straightforward command and is generally the go-to option for most users looking to declutter their terminal. Additionally, the reset command is also available but serves a different purpose; it resets the terminal settings and can be useful in case the terminal becomes unresponsive or displays garbled text.

      Aside from these commands, pressing Ctrl + L is another quick method to clear the screen. This keyboard shortcut works in most terminal emulators and is often favored for its convenience as it can be executed without having to type out a command. It doesn’t clear the terminal’s scrollback history the way clear does; instead, it simply moves the current view to the top of the screen. Each of these methods has its advantages, so you can choose the one that fits your workflow best. Ultimately, the choice comes down to personal preference, whether you’re looking to type a command or opt for a quick keyboard shortcut.

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