LS(1) 386BSD Reference Manual LS(1)
NAME
ls - list directory contents.
SYNOPSIS
ls [-CFRacdilqrstu1] [file ...]
DESCRIPTION
For each operand that names a file of a type other than directory, ls
displays its name as well as any requested, associated information. For
each operand that names a file of type directory, ls displays the names
of files contained within that directory, as well as any requested,
associated information.
If no operands are given, the contents of the current directory are
displayed. If more than one operand is given, non-directory operands are
displayed first; directory and non-directory operands are sorted
separately and in lexicographical order.
The following options are available:
-A List all entries except for `.' and `..'. Always set for the
super-user.
-C Force multi-column output; this is the default when output is to
a terminal.
-F Display a slash (/) immediately after each pathname that is a
directory, an asterisk (*) after each that is executable, and an
at sign (@) after each symbolic link.
-L If argument is a symbolic link, list the file or directory the
link references rather than the link itself.
-R Recursively list subdirectories encountered.
-T Display complete time information for the file, including month,
day, hour, minute, second, and year.
-a Include directory entries whose names begin with a dot (.).
-c Use time when file status was last changed for sorting or
printing.
-d Directories are listed as plain files (not searched recursively).
-f Output is not sorted.
-g Include the group ownership of the file in a long (-l) output
(-lg). If the group is not a known group name, the numeric ID is
printed.
-i For each file, print the file's file serial number (inode
number).
-k Modifies the -s option, causing the sizes to be reported in
kilobytes.
-l (The lowercase letter ``ell.'') List in long format. (See
below.) If the output is to a terminal, a total sum for all the
file sizes is output on a line before the long listing.
-q Force printing of non-graphic characters in file names as the
character `?'; this is the default when output is to a terminal.
-r Reverse the order of the sort to get reverse lexicographical
order or the oldest entries first.
-s Display the number of file system bytes actually used by each
file, in units of 512, where partial units are rounded up to the
next integer value. If the output is to a terminal, a total sum
for all the file sizes is output on a line before the listing.
-t Sort by time modified (most recently modified first) before
sorting the operands by lexicographical order.
-u Use time of last access, instead of last modification of the file
for sorting (-t) or printing (-l).
-1 (The numeric digit ``one.'') Force output to be one entry per
line. This is the default when output is not to a terminal.
The -1, -C, and -l options all override each other; the last one
specified determines the format used.
The -c, and -u options override each other; the last one specified
determines the file time used.
By default, ls lists one entry per line to standard output; the
exceptions are to terminals or when the -C option is specified.
File information is displayed with one or more <blank>s separating the
information associated with the -i, -s, and -l options.
The Long Format
If the -l option is given, the following information is be displayed:
file mode, number of links, owner name, number of bytes in the file,
abbreviated month, day-of-month file was last modified, hour file last
modified, minute file last modified, and the pathname.
If the owner name is not a known user name the numeric ID is displayed.
If the file is a character special or block special file, the major and
minor device numbers for the file are displayed in the size field. If the
file is a symbolic link the pathname of the linked-to file is preceded by
``->''.
The file mode printed under the -l option consists of the the entry type,
owner permissions, and group permissions. The entry type character
describes the type of file, as follows:
b Block special file.
c Character special file.
d Directory.
l Symbolic link.
s Socket link.
- Regular file.
The next three fields are three characters each: owner permissions, group
permissions, and other permissions. Each field has three character
positions:
1. If r, the file is readable; if -, it is not readable.
2. If w, the file is writable; if -, it is not writable.
3. The first of the following that applies:
S If in the owner permissions, the file is not
executable and set-user-ID mode is set. If in the
group permissions, the file is not executable and
set-group-ID mode is set.
s If in the owner permissions, the file is
executable and set-user-ID mode is set. If in the
group permissions, the file is executable and
setgroup-ID mode is set.
x The file is executable or the directory is
searchable.
- The file is neither readable, writeable,
exectutable, or set-user-ID or set-group-ID mode
nor sticky. (See below.)
These next two apply only to the third character in the last
group (other permissions).
T The sticky bit is set (mode 1000), but not execute
or search permission. (See chmod(1) or sticky(8).)
t The sticky bit is set (mode 1000), and is
searcheable or executable. (See chmod(1) or
sticky(8).)
The ls utility exits 0 on success, and >0 if an error occurs.
ENVIRONMENT
The following environment variables affect the execution of ls:
COLUMNS If this variable contains a string representing a decimal
integer, it is used as the column position width for displaying
multiple-text-column output. The ls utility calculates how many
pathname text columns to display based on the width provided.
(See -C.)
SEE ALSO
chmod(1), sticky(8)
HISTORY
A ls command appeared in Version 6 AT&T UNIX.
BSD Experimental June 27, 1991 3