How to get help with Unix commands: the “man” command
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When discussing what a Unix command is, I mentioned that you can alter the function of a Unix command by using flags or arguments. For example, to list all the files in your current folder, you use the ls command. To reverse its order you add the “r” argument: ls -r. But how do you know which arguments to use?
Unix has a built-in manual called the man system. Each Unix command comes with a manual page which you can access by typing man and then the name of the command. For example, to get help with the ls command, open the Terminal and type man ls.
Each manual page shows the name, synopsis, description, examples, and more for that command. You can use the up and down arrows to scroll through the entry. To skip Forward a page hit “f”; to skip Back a page hit “b”. When you’re done reading the manual page, his “q” to quit.
The man command is one of the most important commands for learning and using Unix. I use it daily.
On a side note, these manual pages are also available on the Internet, including at Apple.com: Mac OS X Man Pages