intro

To access the introductory manual page, use the man command:

man intro

Optional parameters apply to the man command itself, not to 'intro'.

-k, --apropos
    Searches the short descriptions of man pages for keywords.

-f, --whatis
    Displays a short description of manual pages by name.

-s, --sections list
    Specifies a colon-separated list of sections to search.

-a, --all
    Displays all matching manual pages instead of just the first found.

--help
    Displays a help message for the man command.

--version
    Displays version information for the man command.

The "intro" command, strictly speaking, is not an executable program but rather a specific manual page entry that serves as an introduction to the Linux manual system. When you execute man intro, you are typically viewing the man(1) manual page itself, or a similar introductory document. This page is designed to provide new users with a fundamental understanding of how to use and interpret the vast collection of online reference manuals (man pages). It explains the structure of manual pages, the different sections (like commands, system calls, library functions), common conventions, and how to effectively search for and read documentation on a Unix-like system. It acts as a crucial starting point for anyone learning to navigate the Linux command-line environment and its extensive self-documentation.

While not a command in the conventional sense, intro is a vital resource for understanding the man page hierarchy and usage.

It is crucial to understand that intro is not an executable Linux command like ls or grep. It is an entry within the manual page system. Attempting to run 'intro' directly in the shell will result in a "command not found" error. Its content and the specific manual page it refers to (man(1) or a system-specific introduction) can vary slightly across different Linux distributions and manual page implementations.

The intro manual page usually covers the following key areas:

Manual Page Structure: Explains the standard layout of a man page (NAME, SYNOPSIS, DESCRIPTION, OPTIONS, EXAMPLES, SEE ALSO, BUGS, etc.).

Manual Page Sections: Describes the numbered sections (e.g., 1 for commands, 2 for system calls, 3 for library functions, 4 for special files, 5 for file formats, 6 for games, 7 for miscellaneous, 8 for administration commands) and what type of information each contains.

Conventions: Clarifies common typographical conventions used in man pages (e.g., bold for literal text, italics for variables, square brackets for optional arguments).

Using the Man Command: Provides basic instructions on how to use the man command itself to search for and display pages, including common options and search methods.

The concept of an "intro" manual page has been a foundational element of the Unix and later Linux documentation system since its inception. From early AT&T Unix versions, the manual pages were designed to be a comprehensive self-documenting system. An introductory page, often found in section 1 (commands), was included to orient new users to the structure and conventions of these manuals. Its purpose has remained consistent: to serve as the first point of contact for users wishing to understand how to navigate and utilize the extensive on-line documentation provided by the system, ensuring that even complex systems remain accessible to self-learners.

man(1), whatis(1), apropos(1), manpath(5), sections(7)