o

Open a file in editor

$ o [path/to/file]

$ o [[-m|-monitor]] [path/to/file]

$ <Ctrl s>

$ <Ctrl q>

$ o [[-h|--help]]

Since "o" is usually an alias, its synopsis mimics the command it points to, most commonly xdg-open or a similar utility.

o [FILE|URL]
o [OPTIONS] FILE|URL (if aliased to a command that supports options)

FILE|URL
    The path to the file or directory, or a URL, to be opened with its default application.

The command "o" is not a standard executable found in common Linux distributions. Instead, it is very frequently used as a user-defined alias or shell function for quickly opening files, directories, or URLs with their default associated applications.

On macOS, the open command serves a similar purpose. On Linux, users often configure "o" to execute commands like xdg-open, which attempts to open a file or URL using the preferred application for the current desktop environment. This provides a convenient shorthand, avoiding the need to type longer commands like xdg-open or gnome-open/kde-open. Its primary utility lies in streamlining workflow by allowing users to interact with files in a graphical manner directly from the terminal.

The primary caveat is that "o" is not a standard Linux command. Its existence and functionality depend entirely on whether a user or system administrator has defined it as an alias or shell function.

Therefore:
1. It may not exist on many systems.
2. Its behavior can vary wildly depending on its definition (e.g., it might call xdg-open, open on macOS, a custom script, or nothing at all).
3. Users should check their shell configuration (.bashrc, .zshrc, etc.) or use type o to determine its definition.

Due to its non-standard nature, "o" is typically set up in a user's shell configuration file. Common implementations include:

Bash/Zsh Alias:
alias o='xdg-open'
This simple alias makes typing o file.pdf equivalent to xdg-open file.pdf.

Shell Function:
o() { xdg-open "$@" &>/dev/null & }
A more robust function might suppress output, background the process, or add logic for different file types. The "$@" passes all arguments to the underlying command.

To check if "o" is defined on your system and what it does, you can use the type command:

type o

This will output something like o is aliased to `xdg-open' or o is a function, or o not found.

While there's no official "history" for the command "o" itself, its usage pattern is rooted in the common practice of defining shell aliases to simplify frequent or long commands. Users, especially those migrating from macOS environments where open is a standard utility, often create an alias for xdg-open (or similar) as "o" for convenience and consistency across different operating systems. This practice reflects the user's desire for efficiency and personalization of their terminal environment, evolving organically within various shell communities.

xdg-open(1), open(1), alias(1), type(1)