How to List Directory Contents in Linux ( dir command).

In Linux, if we want to list the contents of a directory, we use the **dir** command. The **dir** (directory) command is used to list the contents of a directory in the Linux/Unix operating system.

If we execute **dir** command, it displays the files and folders in the directory, and if we execute the **ls** command we will get a similar result. Both commands are part of Coreutils and, just with different default options. We can't say that **dir** is the alias of ls, No command in Linux is an alias of another command. We can say that the **dir** command is equivalent to **ls -C -b** i.e., by default files are listed in columns, sorted vertically, and special characters by backslash escape sequences. apart from this the output of **dir** command is not colored like **ls** command.

The general syntax of dir command

dir [OPTION]... [FILE]...

Brief description of options available with the '**dir**' command.

In this example, in the directory 'shadow' '.textfile.txt' file available starting with **.** but without using **-a** or **--all** option these files are not visible using **dir** command but using **-a** or **--all** file is visible.

In this example, using dir -l --author in the 'shadow' directory list of all files with owner details, group details are displayed as shown in the below image.

We know that backup files end with '**~**' sign. textfile.txt~ is the backup file in the 'shadow' folder but just using dir command textfile.txt~ is visible but using **-B** or **--ignore-backups** textfile.txt~ is not visible.

In this example, **dir -F** or **--classify** command classifies files into their types.

• '/' sign indicates a directory.
• '*' sign indicates an executable.
• '@' sign indicates a symbolic link.
• '%' sign indicates a whiteout.
• '=' sign indicates a socket.
• '|' sign indicates a FIFO.

(' / ') denotes that 'myfolder' is a directory.

In this tutorial, we covered how to list directory contents in the Linux operating system using the dir command with available options and suitable examples. In Linux ls and vdir are also available for the same purpose.