Computers : FTP Commands

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) commands and options.

This page is not a definitive guide to FTP commands, options and their uses. It is desinged to be a quick reminder of some of the FTP commands and options available.

Common FTP Commands

?	Help or information about the FTP commands.
ascii	Set transfer mode to ASCII (the default), transfers at 7bits per character.
binary	Set transfer mode to binary, transfers all eight bits per byte and less chance of error, only for non ASCII files.
bye	Exits the FTP mode or connection, same as 'quit'.
cd	Change directory on the remote computer.
close	Close connection with the remote comptuer.
delete	Delete a file from the remote computer.
get	Copy one file form the remote computer.
help	Lists available FTP commands.
lcd	Change directory on the local computer.
ls	Lists the file names on the remote directory.
mkdir	Creates a directory within the current remote directory.
mget	Copy multiple files from the remote computer to the local computer.
mput	Copy multiple files from the local computer to the remote computer.
open	Open a connection with another computer.
put	Copy one file from the local computer to the remote computer.
pwd	Find the pathname of the current directory on the remote computer.
quit	Exits the FTP mode or connection, same as 'bye'.
rmdir	Remove a directory in the current remote directory.

Option Commands

-d	Enable debugging.
-e	Disable command editing and history support.
-g	Disable file name globbing.
-i	Turns off interactive prompting for multiple file transfers.
-n	Disables auto-login upon initial connection.
-p	Use passive mode.
-v	Verbose option shows all responses from the remote computer.

Other Commands

idle	Set the inactivity timer on the remote computer.
nlist	Prints a list of the files in a directory on the remote computer.
prompt	Enables interactive prompting.
size	Returns the size of a file on the remote machine.
status	Shows the current status of the FTP.
system	Shows the operating system on the remote computer.
trace	Toggle packet tracing.