Question

-a option is used with ls command for what purpose?

(a) for showing hidden files

(b) for showing executables

(c) for showing directories

(d) for multi columnar output

This question was addressed to me by my college director while I was bunking the class.

My question comes from Listing Directory Contents: Is Command in chapter The File System of Unix

Answer 1

Right option is (a) for showing hidden files

The best explanation: -a option when used with ls command displays all the files including hidden files. Files beginning with a ( . ) are listed using -a option. There are certain files (filenames beginning with a  . ) These files are not listed without -a option.