Article: Linux command: clear

The `clear` command is one of the most handy commands to know if you are a command line user in Linux. As you are moving through directories, `cat`ing files, or any number of standard tasks, your terminal will get filled up with a bunch of prior commands and output. If you want to start from a blank slate, but don't want to log out and log back in, then using `clear` will become a handy tool.

The clear command does not affect files or jobs, it simply clears the clutter from your terminal screen. Another nice thing about `CLEAR` is that it doesn't erase your terminal scroll buffer, so if you need to see something that was on your screen a while ago, you can still use your mouse wheel to scroll back.

Usage

Code:

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clear

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or this handy shortcut.

Code:

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CTRL - l

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(that's a lowercase L)

Another way that you can use `CLEAR` is when you are in a text editor (like emacs), and want to re-orient your screen so that your cursor is in the middle of the screen. Oftentimes I am writing a bit of code, and end up at the bottom of the screen, and find it hard to look at, so I just hit `ctrl-l`, and my code is now nicely positioned in the middle of the screen.

Quite a handy looking command, never used it before, never really felt the need to use it though to be honest.

This command is used very frequently.:p

Yes, clear is very handly.

In fact, I find it irritating when I use the occasional system that doesn't have it. So I created my own for my ~/.bashrc file on those systems. It uses ANSI escape sequences that most terminals implement:

Code:

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alias clear='echo -n -e "\e[2J\e[H"'

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by KenJackson

Yes, clear is very handly.

In fact, I find it irritating when I use the occasional system that doesn't have it. So I created my own for my ~/.bashrc file on those systems. It uses ANSI escape sequences that most terminals implement:

Code:

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alias clear='echo -n -e "\e[2J\e[H"'

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Thanks for the code. I'm using cygwin right now and found out that I don't have a "clear" command built in. So I did edit my ~/.bashrc file and added the alias you gave and it now does its job. Thank you so much! :)

Thank you for this code. Though like what the other poster said, don't really find much use to this for now.

I must hit ctrl-l at least 50 times/day.. if not more.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KenJackson

Yes, clear is very handly.

In fact, I find it irritating when I use the occasional system that doesn't have it. So I created my own for my ~/.bashrc file on those systems. It uses ANSI escape sequences that most terminals implement:

Code:

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alias clear='echo -n -e "\e[2J\e[H"'

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Nice, now I have the code it will be handy thanks for that. I can find some spins on this if I do i will post.