---
layout: page
category-title: Basic commands
category-page: basic
tags: manual
author: Gianmarco De Vita
title: man
previous-page: pages/cmd/basic/cd.html
next-page: pages/cmd/basic/ls.html
---
<p>The <code>man</code> tool allows you to explore the various utilities
  of the Shell. To search for more information about a command, just write</p>

<pre>
Device-name:Current-position username$ man command-name
</pre>

<p>As result, a new session will be opened with information about the command
you have typed (and more specifically about its functions and flags).</p>

<p>Using some flags, you can obtain with this command the same results you get
  when you use other commands. For istance:</p>

<h3>The <code>-k</code> flag</h3>
<p>Using the <code>-k</code> flag, you obtain an equivalent result to
  <code>apropos</code>.</p>
<pre>
Device-name:Current-position username$ man -k command-name
</pre>

<h3>The <code>-f</code> flag</h3>
<p>Using the <code>-f</code> flag, you obtain an equivalent result to
  <code>whatis</code>.</p>
<pre>
Device-name:Current-position username$ man -f command-name
</pre>