In Linux and other Unix-based operating systems, files and folders with names starting with a period (.) are considered hidden. By default, file managers such as Nautilus and Dolphin, as well as command-line tools like ls, do not display these hidden files and folders.
To reveal hidden files and folders in Linux, use the ls command in the terminal, which has a built-in option to display items starting with a period (.).
Steps to view hidden files and folders in Linux:
- Open the terminal.
- Navigate to the folder containing the hidden files or folders.
$ cd temp/
- Display regular files and folders in the directory using the ls command.
$ ls file folder
- To show all files and folders in the directory, including hidden ones, use the ls command with appropriate options.
$ ls -a . .. file folder .hidden-file .hidden-folder
ls option:
-a, --all do not ignore entries starting with .
- For additional information on the files, use the ls command with appropriate options.
$ ls -la total 16 drwxrwxr-x 4 user user 4096 Oct 31 09:27 . drwxr-xr-x 5 user user 4096 Oct 31 09:26 .. -rw-rw-r-- 1 user user 0 Oct 31 09:27 file drwxrwxr-x 2 user user 4096 Oct 31 09:26 folder -rw-rw-r-- 1 user user 0 Oct 31 09:27 .hidden-file drwxrwxr-x 2 user user 4096 Oct 31 09:26 .hidden-folder
. and .. are special folders which refers to current and one-up folder respectively
- You can also list files and folders using their absolute paths.
$ ls -la /home/user/temp/ total 16 drwxrwxr-x 4 user user 4096 Oct 31 09:27 . drwxr-xr-x 5 user user 4096 Oct 31 09:26 .. -rw-rw-r-- 1 user user 0 Oct 31 09:27 file drwxrwxr-x 2 user user 4096 Oct 31 09:26 folder -rw-rw-r-- 1 user user 0 Oct 31 09:27 .hidden-file drwxrwxr-x 2 user user 4096 Oct 31 09:26 .hidden-folder
Author: Mohd
Shakir Zakaria
Mohd Shakir Zakaria is an experienced cloud architect with a strong development and open-source advocacy background. He boasts multiple certifications in AWS, Red Hat, VMware, ITIL, and Linux, underscoring his expertise in cloud architecture and system administration.
Mohd Shakir Zakaria is an experienced cloud architect with a strong development and open-source advocacy background. He boasts multiple certifications in AWS, Red Hat, VMware, ITIL, and Linux, underscoring his expertise in cloud architecture and system administration.
Discuss the article:
Comment anonymously. Login not required.