Alias command in Linux

The alias command is used to create shortcuts to commands. Let’s see how it works.

I use the alias command to create shortcuts for commands I use frequently. For example the cp(copy) and mv(move) commands, my alias simply adds -i to cp and mv commands causing them to be interactive thus preventing any accidental deletes or file overwrites.

Running the alias command will show you all the current aliases available.

[dummy@macho ~]$ alias
alias l.=‘ls -d .* -color=tty’
alias ll=‘ls -l -color=tty’
alias ls=‘ls -color=tty’
alias vi=‘vim’

alias cp=‘cp -i’. This command will ad -i to the_ cp_(copy) command. Now, every time the cp command is executed it will be interactive. No more accidental deletes 🙂

alias mv=‘mv -i’. This command will ad -i to the mv(move) command. Now, every time the mv command is executed it will be interactive. No more accidental overwrites 🙂

[dummy@macho ~]$ alias cp=‘cp -i’
[dummy@macho ~]$ alias mv=‘mv-i’
[dummy@macho ~]$ alias
alias cp=‘cp -i’
alias l.=‘ls -d .* -color=tty’
alias ll=‘ls -l -color=tty’
alias ls=‘ls -color=tty’
alias mv=‘mv-i’
alias vi=‘vim’