2.8 System Documentation

Linux is self-documenting. Learning how to read the manual is more important than memorizing every flag.

Finding Help

man (Manual Pages)

The definitive reference.

• Syntax: man [command]
• Example: man ls
• Navigation:
  • Space: Next page.
  • b: Previous page.
  • /pattern: Search.
  • q: Quit.

--help

Most commands support a --help flag for a quick summary.

• Example: ls --help

info

GNU project’s detailed documentation system (often more comprehensive than man pages for GNU tools).

• Example: info coreutils

/usr/share/doc/

Directory containing additional documentation, READMEs, and example configuration files for installed packages.

Searching Manuals

If you don’t know the command name, search the manual page descriptions.

• Command: man -k [keyword] (Same as apropos)
• Example: man -k "partition" (Lists commands related to partitioning)