Special Unix Key Combinations


  
Here's a quick summary of special keys that are frequently used in Unix.


Key Combination It does
Ctrl-h ^h erases the last character on the command line. (=Backspace key)
Ctrl-c ^c interrupts a command or process in progress and returns to the command line. This will usually work; if it doesn't, try typing several ^c's in a row. If it still doesn't work, try typing ^\, q (for quit), exit, ^d, or ^z.
Ctrl-d ^d generates an end-of-file character. It can be used to terminate input to a program, or to end a session with a shell, i.e., logout.
Ctrl-s ^s stops the flow of output on the display, i.e., halt. To return back to the normal state, use Ctrl-d (^q)
Ctrl-u ^u erases the entire command line. It is also called the "line kill" character.
Ctrl-w ^w erases the last word on the command line.
Ctrl-z ^z suspends a command or process in progress.
Ctrl-\ ^\ quits a program and saves an image of the program in a file called "core" for later debugging.