2.3.3. More info
2.3.3.1. The Info pages
In addition to the man pages, you can read the info pages about a command, using the info command. These usually contain more recent information and are somewhat easier to use. The man pages for some commands refer to the info pages.
Get started by typing info info in a terminal window:
File: info.info, Node: Top, Next: Getting Started, Up: (dir)
Info: An Introduction
*********************
Info is a program, which you are using now, for reading
documentation of computer programs. The GNU Project distributes most
of its on-line manuals in the Info format, so you need a program called
"Info reader" to read the manuals. One of such programs you are using
now.
If you are new to Info and want to learn how to use it, type the
command 'h' now. It brings you to a programmed instruction sequence.
To learn advanced Info commands, type 'n' twice. This brings you to
'Info for Experts', skipping over the 'Getting Started' chapter.
* Menu:
* Getting Started:: Getting started using an Info reader.
* Advanced Info:: Advanced commands within Info.
* Creating an Info File:: How to make your own Info file.
--zz-Info: (info.info.gz)Top, 24 lines --Top-------------------------------
Welcome to Info version 4.2. Type C-h for help, m for menu item.
Use the arrow keys to browse through the text and move the cursor on a line starting with an asterisk, containing the keyword about which you want info, then hit Enter . Use the P and N keys to go to the previous or next subject. The space bar will move you one page further, no matter whether this starts a new subject or an info page for another command. Use Q to quit. The info program has more information.
2.3.3.2. The whatis and apropos commands
A short index of explanations for commands is available using the whatis command, like in the examples below:
[your_prompt] whatis ls
ls (1) - list directory contents
This displays short information about a command, and the first section in the collection of man pages that contains an appropriate page.
If you don't know where to get started and which man page to read, apropos gives more information. Say that you don't know how to start a browser, then you could enter the following command:
another prompt> apropos browser
Galeon [galeon](1) - gecko-based GNOME web browser
lynx (1) - a general purpose distributed information browser
for the World Wide Web
ncftp (1) - Browser program for the File Transfer Protocol
opera (1) - a graphical web browser
pilot (1) - simple file system browser in the style of the
Pine Composer
pinfo (1) - curses based lynx-style info browser
pinfo [pman] (1) - curses based lynx-style info browser
viewres (1x) - graphical class browser for Xt
After pressing Enter you will see that a lot of browser related stuff is on your machine: not only web browsers, but also file and FTP browsers, and browsers for documentation. If you have development packages installed, you may also have the accompanying man pages dealing with writing programs having to do with browsers. Generally, a command with a man page in section one, so one marked with "(1)" , is suitable for trying out as a user. The user who issued the above apropos might consequently try to start the commands galeon , lynx or opera , since these clearly have to do with browsing the world wide web.
2.3.3.3. The --help option
Most GNU commands support the --help , which gives a short explanation about how to use the command and a list of available options. Below is the output of this option with the cat command:
[blockquote[/blockquote]
* License
