Question 303 of 750

Linux Commands and File Permissions →easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

How to List All Files Including Hidden Ones with Detailed Information in Linux

This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of linux commands and file permissions. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.

A junior admin needs to list all files in the current directory, including hidden files, with detailed information such as permissions, owner, and size. Which command should they use?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.

A
ls -l
Why wrong: This lists files in long format but does not show hidden files.
B
ls -a
Why wrong: This shows all files including hidden ones, but without detailed information.
C
ls -la
The combination -la lists all files in long format, fulfilling the requirement.
D
ll
Why wrong: ll is an alias in some distributions for 'ls -l', but it may not show hidden files; it is not a standard command.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Quick Answer

The answer is `ls -la`. This command combines the `-l` flag for long format, which displays detailed information including permissions, owner, group, size, and modification time, with the `-a` flag to show all files, including hidden files whose names begin with a dot. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your understanding of fundamental Linux file management commands, often appearing in scenario-based items where a junior admin needs to troubleshoot or audit a directory. A common trap is forgetting the `-a` flag and using only `ls -l`, which omits hidden files, or confusing `-a` with `-A`, which lists all files except the `.` and `..` directory entries. To remember it, think of the mnemonic “List All” for `-la`—you are listing everything in long form, so you never miss a hidden configuration file or dotfile that could be causing an issue.

Answer choices

Why each option matters

Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.

Correct answer & explanation

✓

ls -la

The `ls -la` command combines the `-l` (long format) and `-a` (all files, including hidden ones) options. This fulfills the requirement to list all files in the current directory, including hidden files (those starting with a dot), with detailed information such as permissions, owner, group, size, and modification time.

Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

✗
ls -l
Why it's wrong here
This lists files in long format but does not show hidden files.
✗
ls -a
Why it's wrong here
This shows all files including hidden ones, but without detailed information.
✓
ls -la
Why this is correct
The combination -la lists all files in long format, fulfilling the requirement.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
ll
Why it's wrong here
ll is an alias in some distributions for 'ls -l', but it may not show hidden files; it is not a standard command.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

A common mistake is to think that either `ls -l` (shows details but not hidden files) or `ls -a` (shows hidden files but no details) is sufficient. The correct answer is `ls -la` which combines both options.

Trap categories for this question

Command / output trap
This lists files in long format but does not show hidden files.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

In Linux, hidden files are defined by a leading dot (.) in their filename, and the `-a` flag forces `ls` to include directory entries `.` (current directory) and `..` (parent directory) as well. The `-l` flag uses the `stat()` system call to retrieve detailed metadata, including the file type, permissions (rwx), number of hard links, owner UID/GID, size in bytes, and timestamps. A common real-world scenario is auditing a user's home directory for configuration files like `.bashrc` or `.ssh/authorized_keys`, where both hidden files and detailed permissions are critical for security checks.

KKey Concepts to Remember

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.

TExam Day Tips

Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.

Key takeaway

Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.

Real-world example

How this comes up in practice

A practitioner preparing for the 220-1202 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 220-1202 question test?

Linux Commands and File Permissions — This question tests Linux Commands and File Permissions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: ls -la — The `ls -la` command combines the `-l` (long format) and `-a` (all files, including hidden ones) options. This fulfills the requirement to list all files in the current directory, including hidden files (those starting with a dot), with detailed information such as permissions, owner, group, size, and modification time.

What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

Are there clue words in this question I should notice?

Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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This 220-1202 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1202 exam.