Control-Key Commands

Unix has several control-key commands, that is, commands you enter by holding down the control key ctrl while simultaneously striking a second key. For example, you can backspace by holding down the control key and h key at the same time; this is denoted as ctrl-h, or in some documents as ^ h. These commands are important and powerful, yet also can be confusing and file annihilating, so be careful! For example, using ctrl-h and ctrl-u hardly ever do too much harm, yet locking up your terminal with ctrl-s or signing off the computer with ctrl-d hardly ever leads to smiles. 

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CONTROL CHARACTER COMMANDS

^ h

Backspace.

^ d

End text input, EOF for mail, write

(also acts as logout command).

^ w

Delete last word typed.

^ u

Delete (undo) last line typed.

^ r

Repeat last line typed.

^ s

Stop the screen from scrolling

(sometimes takes a while to be effective).

^ q

Unlock terminal screen, continue scrolling.

^ c

Interrupt running program ([Del] in System V).

^ z

Suspend running program (fg to resume).