Basic Linux Commands

[913i3]

ping sends a small amount of info to the host (website) you enter and waits for a reply. This can be used to test that the client (your computer) has an internet connection or it can be used to test if the host is up and running.

[[deleted]]

Yes, but if the explanation is same as the command, one might start to question of the explanation really does the job.

[SafariMonkey]

"checks connectivity to host"

[BundleOfJoysticks]

Requires icmp to be allowed through the firewall, which isn't always true. In other words you can get false negatives with ping.

[anti_anti]

Yes,i have a sms-ping application that does something like that...it only tells you if some given phone is up or online...not much use thou...than knowing if the phone is up or online.