Top 30 Most Common linux commands interview questions You Should Prepare For

Landing a job that involves working with Linux systems often means facing a barrage of technical questions, especially those focusing on linux commands interview questions. Thorough preparation is key to showcasing your expertise and confidence during these interviews. Mastering commonly asked linux commands interview questions can significantly boost your prospects, providing you with the clarity and confidence needed to excel.

What are linux commands interview questions?

Linux commands interview questions are designed to evaluate a candidate's practical knowledge and proficiency in using the Linux operating system. These questions assess your understanding of fundamental command-line tools and how they are used to navigate, manage, and troubleshoot Linux environments. The questions typically cover areas such as file management, system administration, text manipulation, process control, and networking. Successfully answering linux commands interview questions demonstrates your ability to effectively interact with Linux systems and solve real-world problems.

Why do interviewers ask linux commands interview questions?

Interviewers ask linux commands interview questions to gauge your hands-on experience and problem-solving abilities. They want to understand not just what a command does, but how you would apply it in a practical scenario. By asking these questions, interviewers assess your ability to efficiently manage systems, troubleshoot issues, and automate tasks using the command line. It shows your level of familiarity with the Linux environment, which is often critical for roles involving system administration, development, and DevOps. Your responses to linux commands interview questions reveal your ability to think critically and apply your knowledge to solve real-world problems.

Here is a preview of the 30 linux commands interview questions we will cover:

1. What does the ls command do?

2. What is the purpose of the pwd command?

3. How do you use the cd command?

4. How can you create directories using the command line?

5. How do you remove empty directories?

6. How can you delete files or directories using the rm command?

7. What does the cp command do?

8. How do you use the mv command?

9. What is the purpose of the cat command?

10. How do you create an empty file or update the timestamp of an existing file?

11. How do you print text or variables to the terminal?

12. How can you display system information using the uname command?

13. How do you show running processes for the current shell session?

14. How can you terminate processes by PID or name?

15. What does the top command do?

16. How do you display disk space usage of file systems?

17. How can you show disk usage of files and directories?

18. How do you search for files or directories matching certain criteria?

19. How can you filter text by matching patterns in files or command output?

20. How do you show the first lines of a file?

21. How do you show the last lines of a file, and follow file updates in real-time?

22. How do you change file or directory permissions?

23. How do you change the file owner and group?

24. How can you archive and extract files from .tar files?

25. How do you download files from the internet via HTTP, HTTPS, or FTP?

26. How can you connect securely to remote machines?

27. How do you securely copy files between hosts over SSH?

28. How do you display the command history of the current user?

29. How do you create shortcuts for commands?

30. How do you manage system services (start, stop, enable, disable)?

## 1. What does the ls command do?

Why you might get asked this:

The ls command is one of the most fundamental commands in Linux. Interviewers ask about it to assess your basic understanding of file system navigation and management, a core element of your knowledge of linux commands interview questions. They want to see if you know how to list files and directories, and if you’re familiar with common options that modify its behavior.

How to answer:

Start by clearly stating that ls lists files and directories in the current working directory. Then, briefly explain some commonly used options like -l for detailed information, -a to show hidden files, and -h for human-readable file sizes. Mention that ls is often the first command used when exploring a Linux system, highlighting its importance in your workflow related to linux commands interview questions.

Example answer:

"The ls command lists the files and directories in the current directory. I use it all the time to see what's in a folder. For example, ls -l gives me a detailed listing with permissions and file sizes, and ls -a shows hidden files. In a recent project, I used ls -lh to quickly check the sizes of log files to identify which ones were growing rapidly. So, ls is like the first step in navigating any Linux system."

## 2. What is the purpose of the pwd command?

Why you might get asked this:

Interviewers ask about pwd to evaluate your understanding of basic navigation within the Linux file system. It checks whether you know how to determine your current location, which is crucial for executing commands and scripts correctly. Demonstrating this knowledge is key to showcasing competence in linux commands interview questions.

How to answer:

Explain that pwd stands for "print working directory" and that it displays the full path of the directory you're currently in. Emphasize its simplicity and importance in scripting and command-line work, where knowing the exact location is essential. Make sure to highlight how this command relates to other linux commands interview questions through the ability to navigate file systems efficiently.

Example answer:

"The pwd command is used to display the full path of the present working directory. It’s a really simple command, but super useful when I’m writing scripts or just navigating through the terminal. For instance, when I'm working with multiple directories, I often use pwd to confirm I'm in the right place before running any commands that might affect files in the wrong location. Knowing exactly where you are is fundamental when dealing with linux commands interview questions and the file system."

## 3. How do you use the cd command?

Why you might get asked this:

The cd command is fundamental for navigating the Linux file system. Interviewers ask this to see if you understand how to change directories, both relatively and absolutely. It also assesses your awareness of special directory shortcuts. Proficiency in using cd shows a basic competency in linux commands interview questions and managing file locations.

How to answer:

Explain that cd is used to change the current directory. Provide examples like cd /home/user to navigate to a specific path, cd .. to go up one level, and cd ~ to return to the home directory. Stress the importance of cd in efficiently moving around the file system, showcasing your mastery of linux commands interview questions.

Example answer:

"The cd command changes the current directory. If I want to go to my home directory, I'd type cd ~. To move up one directory level, I'd use cd ... For example, in a recent project where I was managing configuration files, I frequently used cd to jump between different configuration directories. Being able to quickly navigate with cd is essential for any Linux user, especially when answering linux commands interview questions and working with various files."

## 4. How can you create directories using the command line?

Why you might get asked this:

Interviewers ask this to assess your understanding of file system management and basic directory operations. They want to see if you know how to create new directories and if you are familiar with options that allow for creating nested directories. Knowing how to use mkdir is crucial for demonstrating competency in linux commands interview questions.

How to answer:

Explain that mkdir is used to create directories. Show how to create a single directory using mkdir dirname and how to create nested directories using mkdir -p path/to/dir. Highlight the importance of the -p option for creating parent directories as needed, demonstrating a deeper understanding of linux commands interview questions.

Example answer:

"To create a directory, I use the mkdir command followed by the directory name, like mkdir mynewdirectory. If I need to create a nested directory structure, I use the -p option. For example, mkdir -p path/to/new/directory creates all the necessary parent directories. I actually used this recently when setting up a project environment where I needed to create several nested folders at once. This command makes managing directories a breeze for linux commands interview questions situations and beyond."

## 5. How do you remove empty directories?

Why you might get asked this:

This question checks your understanding of directory management and the specific command designed for removing empty directories. It helps interviewers assess your knowledge of basic Linux utilities and their appropriate usage. Correct usage of rmdir is important for answering linux commands interview questions confidently.

How to answer:

Explain that rmdir is used to remove empty directories. State the syntax rmdir dirname and emphasize that it only works if the directory is empty. Mention that if a directory is not empty, you’ll need to use rm -r (which is a different command) to remove it, showing awareness of related linux commands interview questions.

Example answer:

"The rmdir command is used to remove empty directories. So, if I have a directory named 'emptyfolder' that's completely empty, I'd use rmdir emptyfolder to remove it. It's important to remember that rmdir will only work if the directory is empty; otherwise, you’ll need to use rm -r. In my experience, I often use rmdir when cleaning up temporary directories after completing a task. Knowing the distinction is key when answering linux commands interview questions."

## 6. How can you delete files or directories using the rm command?

Why you might get asked this:

This question assesses your understanding of how to delete files and directories, including the recursive deletion of directories. It’s crucial to understand the power and potential dangers of the rm command, demonstrating your awareness of safety considerations when dealing with linux commands interview questions.

How to answer:

Explain that rm is used to delete files. Mention that rm filename deletes a file, and rm -r dirname deletes a directory and its contents recursively. Stress the importance of caution when using rm -r as it permanently deletes files, and there's no going back. Showing awareness of these nuances is important in demonstrating competency in linux commands interview questions.

Example answer:

"The rm command is used to delete files and directories. To delete a file, I use rm filename. To delete a directory and its contents, I use rm -r dirname. It's extremely important to be careful with rm -r because it permanently deletes everything, and there's no undo. Once, I accidentally deleted an important directory using rm -r, and I learned the hard way to always double-check before using it. Safety is always key when dealing with linux commands interview questions, especially with deletion commands."

## 7. What does the cp command do?

Why you might get asked this:

The cp command is fundamental for copying files and directories. Interviewers ask about it to see if you understand how to duplicate files and directories from one location to another, a necessary skill when working with linux commands interview questions.

How to answer:

Explain that cp is used to copy files and directories. Provide the syntax cp source destination. Explain that to copy directories recursively, you need to use the -r option. For example, cp -r sourcedir destinationdir. Demonstrating the use of common options shows a broader knowledge of linux commands interview questions.

Example answer:

"The cp command copies files and directories from one location to another. The basic syntax is cp source destination. For example, cp file1.txt /tmp/ copies 'file1.txt' to the /tmp/ directory. If I want to copy a directory and all its contents, I'd use the -r option, like cp -r directory1 /tmp/. I recently used cp to back up a configuration file before making changes, which is a safe practice I always follow. Using cp is something that I find very often required when answering linux commands interview questions."

## 8. How do you use the mv command?

Why you might get asked this:

The mv command is used for moving or renaming files and directories. Interviewers ask this question to assess your understanding of how to relocate files and directories within the file system. It is very important to have a clear understanding when answering linux commands interview questions.

How to answer:

Explain that mv is used for both moving and renaming files and directories. Provide examples such as mv file1.txt /new/location/ to move a file, and mv oldname.txt newname.txt to rename a file. Highlight its versatility in managing files and directories, and its presence in typical linux commands interview questions.

Example answer:

"The mv command is used to move or rename files and directories. To move a file, I use mv file1.txt /new/location/. To rename a file, I use mv oldname.txt newname.txt. I often use mv to organize files into different folders or to quickly rename files. For instance, I once used it to move a large set of log files into an archive directory to free up disk space. The correct application of mv is something interviewers are looking for when checking your linux commands interview questions knowledge."

## 9. What is the purpose of the cat command?

Why you might get asked this:

The cat command is used to concatenate and display file contents. Interviewers ask about it to assess your ability to view file contents quickly and easily. The versatility of the cat command also plays a role in linux commands interview questions.

How to answer:

Explain that cat is used to display the contents of a file. Provide the syntax cat filename. Mention that it can also be used to concatenate multiple files. For example, cat file1.txt file2.txt will display the contents of both files one after the other.

Example answer:

"The cat command is used to display the contents of a file. If I want to see what's inside 'myfile.txt', I would type cat myfile.txt. It’s also useful for concatenating multiple files; for example, cat file1.txt file2.txt will display the contents of both files. I often use cat to quickly check the contents of configuration files or small scripts. cat has many everyday applications that can be brought up in your linux commands interview questions."

## 10. How do you create an empty file or update the timestamp of an existing file?

Why you might get asked this:

The touch command is used to create an empty file or update the timestamp of an existing file. Interviewers ask this question to see if you understand how to manage file timestamps and create new files from the command line. Correctness is key when discussing linux commands interview questions.

How to answer:

Explain that touch is used to create an empty file if it doesn't exist, or to update the timestamp if it does exist. Provide the syntax touch filename. Stress that it's a quick way to create files without adding any content, or to update the modification time of existing files.

Example answer:

"The touch command is used to create an empty file if it doesn't exist, or to update the timestamp of an existing file. To create a new empty file named 'newfile.txt', I'd use touch newfile.txt. If 'newfile.txt' already exists, touch newfile.txt will update its timestamp. I often use touch to create placeholder files or to ensure that a file's timestamp is current for build processes. So it's a very handy command for setting up linux commands interview questions and related tasks."

## 11. How do you print text or variables to the terminal?

Why you might get asked this:

This question is about the echo command, which is fundamental for displaying text and variable values in the terminal. Interviewers want to assess your understanding of basic output and scripting capabilities. Your understanding of how to apply this to scenarios relating to linux commands interview questions is essential.

How to answer:

Explain that echo is used to print text or the values of variables to the terminal. Provide examples like echo "Hello, world!" to print text, and echo $USER to print the value of the USER environment variable. Explain that echo is commonly used in scripts for displaying messages or debugging information.

Example answer:

"The echo command is used to print text or variable values to the terminal. If I want to print 'Hello, world!', I would type echo "Hello, world!". To print the value of the USER environment variable, I would use echo $USER. I frequently use echo in my scripts to display messages, provide status updates, or debug by printing variable values. It's an indispensable tool for writing clear and informative scripts, especially when handling tasks that come up from linux commands interview questions."

## 12. How can you display system information using the uname command?

Why you might get asked this:

Interviewers ask this to check your understanding of how to retrieve system information from the command line. The uname command is a basic utility for identifying the operating system and its details, so your knowledge of uname is relevant to linux commands interview questions.

How to answer:

Explain that uname displays system information. Mention that uname -a provides detailed information including the kernel name, network node hostname, kernel release, kernel version, machine hardware name, and operating system. Show that you know how to use uname to get useful details about the system.

Example answer:

"The uname command displays system information. If I just type uname, it typically shows the kernel name. But if I want more detailed information, I use uname -a, which gives me the kernel name, network node hostname, kernel release, kernel version, and more. I've used this command to quickly determine the operating system version on remote servers before deploying applications. So, when considering linux commands interview questions, it's a go to command."

## 13. How do you show running processes for the current shell session?

Why you might get asked this:

This question assesses your ability to monitor processes running in the system. Knowing how to use ps is fundamental for troubleshooting and managing running applications, and this ties into your general competence for linux commands interview questions.

How to answer:

Explain that ps shows the running processes for the current shell session. Mention that options like ps aux can list all processes running on the system, not just those for the current user. Highlight the importance of knowing how to filter and interpret the output to find specific processes.

Example answer:

"The ps command displays the running processes. By default, it shows processes for the current shell session. If I want to see all processes running on the system, I use ps aux. Then I can see everything, even system processes that I didn’t start myself. The output can be quite extensive, so I often pipe it through grep to find specific processes by name. As an example, if you are troubleshooting using the skills obtained from linux commands interview questions, you may look for how your web browser process is running."

## 14. How can you terminate processes by PID or name?

Why you might get asked this:

This question assesses your ability to manage processes by terminating them. Knowing how to use kill is essential for system administration and resolving issues related to runaway processes, relevant for answering linux commands interview questions.

How to answer:

Explain that kill terminates processes by PID. Mention that you can use ps or top to find the PID of a process, then use kill PID to send a termination signal. Also, explain that killall can terminate processes by name. It's crucial to understand the difference between the two.

Example answer:

"The kill command terminates processes by their PID. First, I’d use ps or top to find the PID of the process I want to terminate. Then, I’d use kill PID to send a termination signal. For example, if I found that a process with PID 1234 was consuming too much CPU, I'd use kill 1234. If I want to terminate all processes with a specific name, I can use killall processname. It is a very essential thing to learn from linux commands interview questions."

## 15. What does the top command do?

Why you might get asked this:

The top command provides a real-time view of system processes. Interviewers ask this to evaluate your understanding of system monitoring and resource usage. Your explanation also touches on your ability to manage linux commands interview questions by troubleshooting system performance issues.

How to answer:

Explain that top provides a real-time, dynamic view of running processes, CPU usage, memory usage, and other system resources. Mention that it's useful for identifying resource-intensive processes and diagnosing performance issues. It is something that the interviewer expects you to know regarding linux commands interview questions.

Example answer:

"The top command provides a real-time view of the processes running on the system, along with their CPU and memory usage. It’s like a snapshot of what’s happening on the system right now. I use top to identify processes that are consuming a lot of resources and causing performance bottlenecks. It is a critical aspect of my work as someone who is prepared to answer linux commands interview questions."

## 16. How do you display disk space usage of file systems?

Why you might get asked this:

Interviewers ask this to assess your knowledge of disk space management. Knowing how to use df is crucial for monitoring disk usage and preventing issues related to running out of space. Your understanding is therefore extremely relevant to linux commands interview questions.

How to answer:

Explain that df displays disk space usage for all mounted file systems. Mention that df -h provides human-readable output. Describe how you use it to monitor available disk space and identify file systems that are nearing capacity.

Example answer:

"The df command displays the disk space usage of file systems. If I want to see the disk space usage in a human-readable format, I use df -h. I use this command regularly to monitor the available disk space on my servers and make sure that no file system is running out of space. Ensuring there is enough storage is definitely a skill that can be obtained through linux commands interview questions and experience."

## 17. How can you show disk usage of files and directories?

Why you might get asked this:

This question focuses on the du command, which is used to assess disk usage at the file and directory level. Interviewers use this to evaluate your proficiency in identifying large files and directories that consume significant disk space. Your response is thus valuable for linux commands interview questions.

How to answer:

Explain that du displays the disk usage of files and directories. Mention that du -h provides human-readable output and du -sh provides a summary of the total disk usage for a directory. Describe how you use it to identify large files and directories that are consuming significant disk space.

Example answer:

"The du command displays the disk usage of files and directories. To see the disk usage in a human-readable format, I use du -h. To get a summary of the total disk usage for a directory, I use du -sh directoryname. I often use du to find large files or directories that are taking up too much space, so I can decide whether to compress them, move them, or delete them. These are skills that will be used to make sure you're up to par regarding linux commands interview questions."

## 18. How do you search for files or directories matching certain criteria?

Why you might get asked this:

This question assesses your ability to locate files based on various criteria such as name, type, size, or modification date. The find command is powerful for this, and knowing how to use it demonstrates your proficiency in file system management and your ability to answer linux commands interview questions competently.

How to answer:

Explain that find searches for files and directories based on specified criteria. Provide examples like find . -name "filename" to find a file by name, or find . -type d to find directories. Mention that you can also use options to search by size, modification date, or other attributes.

Example answer:

"The find command searches for files and directories based on specified criteria. If I want to find a file named 'myfile.txt' in the current directory and its subdirectories, I would use find . -name "myfile.txt". If I want to find all directories, I would use find . -type d. I often use find to locate configuration files or log files that I need to examine. It is one of the most powerful tools when answering linux commands interview questions."

## 19. How can you filter text by matching patterns in files or command output?

Why you might get asked this:

This question focuses on the grep command, which is essential for searching and filtering text. Interviewers ask about it to assess your ability to extract specific information from files or command output. Competence in this area is relevant to your ability to answer linux commands interview questions.

How to answer:

Explain that grep filters text by matching patterns. Provide the syntax grep pattern filename. Mention options like -i for case-insensitive search, -r for recursive search, and -v for inverting the match. Show that you can use grep to search for specific lines in a file or filter the output of another command.

Example answer:

"The grep command filters text by matching patterns. To search for the word 'error' in a file named 'logfile.txt', I would use grep error logfile.txt. If I want to perform a case-insensitive search, I would use grep -i error logfile.txt. I often use grep to search through log files for specific error messages or to filter the output of commands like ps to find specific processes. grep has applications that could be found when considering linux commands interview questions."

## 20. How do you show the first lines of a file?

Why you might get asked this:

Interviewers ask this to assess your knowledge of basic file manipulation commands. The head command is used to view the beginning of a file, and knowing how to use it demonstrates your ability to quickly inspect file content. This ability will affect your performance when answering linux commands interview questions.

How to answer:

Explain that head shows the first few lines of a file. Mention that, by default, it shows the first 10 lines, but you can specify the number of lines using the -n option. For example, head -n 20 filename will display the first 20 lines of the file.

Example answer:

"The head command shows the first few lines of a file. By default, it displays the first 10 lines. If I want to see the first 20 lines of 'myfile.txt', I would use head -n 20 myfile.txt. I often use head to quickly check the beginning of a log file or a configuration file without having to open the entire file in a text editor. It can also be used to learn information relevant to typical linux commands interview questions."

## 21. How do you show the last lines of a file, and follow file updates in real-time?

Why you might get asked this:

This question focuses on the tail command, which is used to view the end of a file and monitor updates in real-time. Interviewers ask this to evaluate your ability to troubleshoot issues by observing log file changes. Your comprehension is key when talking about linux commands interview questions.

How to answer:

Explain that tail shows the last few lines of a file. Mention that, by default, it shows the last 10 lines, but you can specify the number of lines using the -n option. Explain that tail -f follows the file and displays new lines as they are added.

Example answer:

"The tail command shows the last few lines of a file. By default, it displays the last 10 lines. If I want to see the last 20 lines of 'myfile.txt', I would use tail -n 20 myfile.txt. To follow a file in real-time and see new lines as they are added, I use tail -f filename. I often use tail -f to monitor log files for errors or status updates while an application is running. It is a very helpful tool when preparing to answer linux commands interview questions."

## 22. How do you change file or directory permissions?

Why you might get asked this:

Interviewers ask this to assess your understanding of file permissions and how to manage them. Knowing how to use chmod is essential for securing files and directories and ensuring that only authorized users can access them. The interviewer is hoping you can use the chmod command to answer linux commands interview questions effectively.

How to answer:

Explain that chmod changes file or directory permissions. Describe how to use both symbolic and numeric modes. For example, chmod +x filename adds execute permission for all users, and chmod 755 filename sets read, write, and execute permissions for the owner, and read and execute for group and others.

Example answer:

"The chmod command changes file or directory permissions. I can use symbolic mode, like chmod +x filename to add execute permissions. Or, I can use numeric mode, like chmod 755 filename to set specific permissions. '755' means the owner has read, write, and execute permissions, while the group and others have read and execute. I often use chmod to ensure that scripts are executable or to restrict access to sensitive data. This knowledge can definitely be used to ensure that I am skilled at answering linux commands interview questions."

## 23. How do you change the file owner and group?

Why you might get asked this:

This question assesses your ability to manage file ownership. Knowing how to use chown is important for maintaining proper file access control, particularly in multi-user environments, demonstrating competency in linux commands interview questions.

How to answer:

Explain that chown changes the file owner and group. Provide the syntax chown user:group filename. Mention that you need to have appropriate privileges (usually root) to change ownership. It's important to be specific and knowledgeable when answering linux commands interview questions.

Example answer:

"The chown command changes the file owner and group. To change the owner and group of 'myfile.txt' to 'user' and 'group', I would use chown user:group myfile.txt. It's important to note that you usually need root privileges to change ownership. I often use chown when setting up shared directories or managing file access in a multi-user environment. Ownership is a key concept that will keep you in the clear when answering linux commands interview questions."

## 24. How can you archive and extract files from .tar files?

Why you might get asked this:

This question tests your knowledge of archiving and compression techniques. Knowing how to use tar is essential for creating and extracting archives, particularly for backups or transferring files. Your explanation relates to your general ability to handle linux commands interview questions.

How to answer:

Explain that tar archives and extracts files. Provide examples for creating an archive (tar -cvf archive.tar files) and extracting an archive (tar -xvf archive.tar). Mention that you can also use options like -z for gzip compression and -j for bzip2 compression.

Example answer:

"The tar command is used to archive and extract files. To create an archive named 'archive.tar' from a set of files, I would use tar -cvf archive.tar files. To extract the files from 'archive.tar', I would use tar -xvf archive.tar. The -c option creates, -x extracts, -v is verbose, and -f specifies the filename. If I want to compress the archive using gzip, I would add the -z option, like tar -czvf archive.tar.gz files. Understanding tar is a solid skill that relates back to your understanding of linux commands interview questions."

## 25. How do you download files from the internet via HTTP, HTTPS, or FTP?

Why you might get asked this:

This question assesses your ability to retrieve files from remote servers. Knowing how to use wget is crucial for downloading files from the command line, demonstrating competency in linux commands interview questions.

How to answer:

Explain that wget downloads files from the internet. Provide the syntax wget URL. Mention that it supports HTTP, HTTPS, and FTP. Show how to use it to download a file from a specified URL and how to continue a download if it's interrupted.

Example answer:

"The wget command downloads files from the internet via HTTP, HTTPS, or FTP. To download a file from a URL, I use wget URL. For example, wget http://example.com/file.txt will download 'file.txt' from example.com. I often use wget to download software packages, documentation, or data files from remote servers. Understanding basic utilities will allow you to excel during linux commands interview questions."

## 26. How can you connect securely to remote machines?

Why you might get asked this:

This question focuses on ssh, which is used for secure remote connections. Interviewers ask about it to assess your knowledge of secure remote access and your ability to connect to remote servers. The proper and correct usage of SSH is a basic requirement for linux commands interview questions.

How to answer:

Explain that ssh connects securely to remote machines. Provide the syntax ssh username@hostname. Mention that it encrypts all traffic between the client and server, protecting against eavesdropping. Describe how to use SSH keys for passwordless authentication.

Example answer:

"The ssh command connects securely to remote machines. To connect to a remote server, I use ssh username@hostname. For example, ssh user@example.com will connect to example.com as the user 'user'. SSH encrypts all traffic, so it's secure. For passwordless authentication, I use SSH keys. I use SSH every day to manage remote servers and access development environments. All aspects of the command are crucial when discussing linux commands interview questions."

## 27. How do you securely copy files between hosts over SSH?

Why you might get asked this:

Interviewers ask this to assess your understanding of secure file transfer. Knowing how to use scp is essential for copying files between machines securely. This answer can highlight how well you know linux commands interview questions material.

How to answer:

Explain that scp securely copies files between hosts over SSH. Provide examples for copying a file from the local machine to a remote machine and vice versa. Mention that it encrypts the data during transfer.

Example answer:

"The scp command securely copies files between hosts over SSH. To copy a file from my local machine to a remote server, I use scp localfile.txt user@remotehost:/path/. To copy a file from a remote server to my local machine, I use scp user@remotehost:/path/remotefile.txt .. SCP encrypts the data during transfer, so it's secure. I often use scp to transfer configuration files, scripts, or data files between my local machine and remote