This recipe shows how to read the info file documentation of the nano command.
Another source of documentation installed with the "official" Raspbian Linux distribution is the info command. The info command is used to display documentation in the info file format.
After completing this recipe, you will be able to read the documentation built in to the Raspbian Linux distribution that has been stored in the info file format.
The following are the ingredients:
- A Raspberry Pi with a 5V power supply
- An installed and configured "official" Raspbian Linux SD card
If the Raspberry Pi's Secure Shell server is running, this recipe can be completed remotely using a Secure Shell client.
The steps for reading the built-in documentation using info are as follows:
- Log in to the Raspberry Pi either directly or remotely.
- Execute the command:
info nano
The preceding screenshot shows the top of the
infofile for the nano text editor. - Press Space to page through the file.
This is the easiest way to read the file from top to bottom.
- Use the direction keys to select a menu item and then press return to jump to that location in the file.
- Press h to learn more about the
infocommand. - Press q to quit.
The info command reads specially formatted Info files and displays them in a text browser. Info files are well structured with menu hierarchies for navigating documentation by concepts. The root of all Info files is displayed when the info command is entered without parameters: info
The preceding screenshot shows the root node of the info file documentation.
The Coreutils section of the Info documentation covers the most common command-line utilities used in the "official" Raspbian Linux distribution. In the Info files, there is also documentation on file permissions, access modes, and other concepts useful for managing the Raspberry Pi.
The Info file documentation goes beyond just a summary and list of options to also explain the concepts behind the commands and their intended use. Ironically, the Info file for the info command is not included with the "official" Raspbian Linux distribution. Instead, use the command man info to read more about the info command.
The Info pages can also be searched using the –k option of the info command. Try searching (-k) both man and info for keywords such as permission, access, or download when you cannot remember the name of a command.
The preceding screenshot shows the result of using info -k to search for documentation on access permissions.
- info – read Info documents
http://manpages.debian.net/cgi-bin/man.cgi?query=info
The Debian man page for
info.