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In this guide, we explore two essential sources of Linux documentation that provide in-depth explanations of commands and system features. Whether you’re troubleshooting an issue or preparing for a certification exam, leveraging these resources can significantly enhance your understanding.

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The Info System

The info documentation system is a hypertext-based alternative to traditional man pages. It offers multi-page documentation that allows you to navigate seamlessly through interconnected sections. For example, to view detailed information about the Bash shell, execute: 
info bash
Here are some key navigation tips for using the info system effectively:
  • Press the Space bar to scroll down within the current node or move to the next node when you reach the end.
  • Press Backspace to return to the previous node.
  • Use the Close Bracket (]) key to jump to the next node.
The image shows a terminal window displaying a section of the GNU Bash Reference Manual, specifically describing Bash features and their origins.
  • Press the Open Bracket ([) key to navigate to the previous node.
  • Press n to move to the next node on the same level.
  • Press p (as in “papa”) to go to the previous node on the same level (if available).
  • Press u to jump up to the parent node.
  • Press l (as in “lima”) to return to the last visited node.
  • Press q to exit the info system.
In the info pages, links are marked with asterisks. For a quick navigation, simply hover over a link and press Enter. The Tab key can help you move the cursor to the nearest link. Keep in mind that while the info system is comprehensive, not every command has an associated info page.
The image shows a terminal window displaying a text-based menu with options for an introduction to Bash and shells. The interface includes typical menu options like File, Edit, and View.
The image shows a terminal window displaying text related to Bash definitions, including terms like 'name', 'operator', and 'process group'.
If you get stuck while browsing, simply use the command info <command> to retrieve detailed documentation for the command you’re working with.

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Documentation in /usr/share/doc

Another valuable resource is the /usr/share/doc directory, which contains documentation for many of the software packages installed on your system. This directory typically holds FAQs, README files, introductory notes, and sometimes HTML-formatted guides. To begin exploring the documentation, change to the directory: 
cd /usr/share/doc
You will notice a variety of subdirectories, each corresponding to an installed package. To view these directories, run: 
ls | less
For instance, to inspect documentation for Bash, navigate to its directory: 
cd /usr/share/doc/bash
ls
Within the Bash documentation directory, you might find files such as bash.html, bashref.html, FAQ, INTRO, RBASH, and README. To read the introductory documentation, you can use a pager like less: 
less INTRO
Alternatively, you can open the file with an editor such as vi: 
vi INTRO
Or use grep to search for specific terms in the document, for example: 
grep "comma" INTRO
These commands and tools (less, vi, grep) allow you to navigate and search the content efficiently, ensuring you can quickly access the information you need. When you’re finished, clear your terminal screen by running: 
clear
Both the info system and the /usr/share/doc directory are comprehensive resources. By mastering their navigation and search functionalities, you can easily find detailed documentation and enhance your expertise in using Linux commands.

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