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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Which Linux tool or command is surprisingly simple, powerful, and yet underrated?" (lemmy.ml)

submitted 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

323 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Which Linux command or utility is simple, powerful, and surprisingly unknown to many people or used less often?

This could be a command or a piece of software or an application.

For example I'm surprised to find that many people are unaware of Caddy, a very simple web server that can make setting up a reverse proxy incredibly easy.

Another example is fzf. Many people overlook this, a fast command-line fuzzy finder. It’s versatile for searching files, directories, or even shell history with minimal effort.

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[–] bokherif 49 points 5 days ago (3 children)

grep goes crazy if you know your regex

[–] [email protected] 26 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Relevant xkcd

[–] [email protected] 34 points 5 days ago (1 children)

I was expecting this one.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 4 days ago

I thought you meant this one

[–] [email protected] 7 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I can never get grep to work consistently on Mac and Linux. Now, ripgrep OTOH....

[–] [email protected] 9 points 4 days ago (1 children)

That’s because Macs generally use BSD-based command line tools instead of GNU ones. You have to do a lot of Homebrew jiggery-pokery to approximate a GNU environment. Know Your Tools: Linux (GNU) vs. Mac (BSD) Command Line Utilities

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago

Alas, doesn't fit my purpose since it requires action by the script user. I usually just use perl in those situations

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 days ago

Check out my chapter on GNU grep BRE/ERE for those wanting to learn this regex flavor: https://learnbyexample.github.io/learn_gnugrep_ripgrep/breere-regular-expressions.html (there's also another chapter for PCRE)