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Asked: 2024-09-23T20:54:21+05:30 In: ,

What is the method to display only hidden files in the terminal on Ubuntu?

I’m diving into some file management in Ubuntu and I’ve hit a bit of a snag. I need to sift through some directories to locate hidden files, but I’m a bit unsure how to do it through the terminal. I’ve always relied on the graphical interface, which is great for most things, but I know the terminal can be a powerhouse for tasks like this.

I remember reading somewhere that hidden files in Linux are those that start with a dot (.)—totally makes sense, but here’s where I’m getting stuck. I keep hearing about how powerful the terminal is for managing files, but every time I open it, I get a little overwhelmed. It feels like there’s so much to it, and I’m just trying to find a streamlined way to focus on those elusive hidden files.

Is there a specific command I should be using? I’ve tried a couple of things like “ls,” but it doesn’t seem to do the trick. I mean, I see all the usual files, but none of the hidden ones pop up. I think I’ve seen something about flags or options that can be appended to the command, but I’m not entirely sure which one to use.

Do I have to pair the “ls” command with something to force it to reveal the hidden files? It would be super helpful to know the exact syntax, so I don’t accidentally clutter my terminal with a million lines of output that don’t pertain to what I need.

I’d surely appreciate any guidance here. A simple step-by-step would be awesome, or if you can just point me to the right command, that would also work. I’ve heard that once you get the hang of it, the terminal can be incredibly efficient—so I’m looking to level up my skills! Thanks for any help you can provide!

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    2 Answers


    1. To view hidden files in Ubuntu using the terminal, you can indeed use the `ls` command, but you will need to include the `-a` option, which stands for “all”. This option allows you to list all files in the directory, including those that are hidden (those that begin with a dot). The command you would use is: ls -a. This will output both the visible and hidden files in the current directory, giving you a complete overview without cluttering your output unnecessarily. If you want to see additional details about the files such as permissions, owner, and size, you can pair it with the `-l` option like this: ls -la.

      If you’re working in a specific directory and want to look for hidden files there, first navigate to that directory using the cd command. For example, if you’re looking in a directory called “Documents”, you would type cd Documents before running ls -a. With this simple command and a little navigation, you’ll quickly find any hidden files you need. Don’t hesitate to combine options or experiment with different combinations to see what best suits your needs; the key is practice and becoming familiar with the terminal’s capabilities!







    2. Finding Hidden Files in Ubuntu Terminal


      Alright, let’s break this down. So, you’re right that hidden files in Linux start with a dot (.), and to see them using the terminal, you can use the `ls` command, but you need to add an option to show those hidden files.

      Here’s how you can do it:

      ls -a

      That `-a` flag stands for “all,” and it tells the `ls` command to list all files, including the hidden ones. Just open your terminal, navigate to the directory you want to check (using the `cd` command), and then run the command above.

      For example:

      cd /path/to/your/directory
ls -a

      After running that, you should see a list of all files and folders in that directory, including the hidden ones. They will look something like this:

      .bashrc
.profile
.hidden_file.txt
normal_file.txt

      The files that start with a dot are your hidden files.

      If you’re concerned about seeing too much output, you can also combine the `ls` command with `grep` to filter the results. For example:

      ls -a | grep "dot"

      This would only show files that have “dot” in their name if you wanted to limit it further.

      Lastly, don’t worry if it feels overwhelming at first. The more you practice, the easier it will become. The terminal is super powerful once you get the hang of it!


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