Command-line interface#Arguments

As a command line parameter ( also command line switches or flags) are referred to additional parameters to the command in a command line. They are delimited - usually the space ( space, ASCII No. 32. ) - Separated from the command and each other, and always follow the command. They are divided into options and arguments.

Options are introduced into the Linux / UNIX world with a dash or two dashes, in the DOS world with a slash. You modify the action of a command. For example, the option "-l" in the call " ls -l" means that the output of the command "ls" detail ( longer). Simultaneous multiple options may be combined in some commands.

Arguments are names of files, directories, users, or similar objects on which the command is to be applied. The call

Ls / usr / bin lists, for example, under Linux the directory " / usr / bin " on. A command may require several arguments, so the copy command shall be designated at the source and destination file.

Options and arguments are also found together, sometimes the sequence is important. Such details can be found in the description of each command.

In some multi-user systems, command line arguments are visible to other users, so that, for example, then passwords should not be passed in this way a program.

• User interface