Linux: A Beginner's Guide
Exploring the Fundamentals of Linux, Open Source Software, and Essential Linux Commands for Beginners
As an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner and DevOps Engineer, being 4 years of expertise in CI/CD implementation. I've developed automated pipelines using Jenkins, Git, Ansible, SonarQube, JFrog, resulting in reduced deployment time. Proficient in writing Ansible playbooks and managing infrastructure with Terraform. Leveraged Git/ GitHub for version control best practices and optimized branching/merging strategies. Seeking new opportunities to apply skills in enhancing collaboration and scalability while ensuring reliable deployments.
What is Open Source?
Open source refers to software and its source code that is freely accessible to everyone. The Free Software Foundation outlines four key freedoms: the ability to run the program for any purpose, study and modify its source code, redistribute the program, and create derivative programs. Various open-source licenses with specific terms and conditions are available.
Linux
Linux is the Kernel of an operating system, not the complete operating system itself.
Linux is not a Unix derivative. It was written from scratch by Linus Torvalds.
A Linux distribution combines the Linux kernel with a collection of software, including libraries, utilities, and a user interface, to create a complete operating system.
Linux Features:
Open Source
Secure
Lightweight
Multi-User and Multi-Tasking
Performance
Architecture of Linux
The kernel manages the hardware and shares information.
The shell takes that information to assist users in communication.
Users interact with the shell to control the computer.
Windows vs. Linux Terminology Comparison
Windows Linux
Folder <-----------> Directory
Administrator <-----------> Root user
File <-----------> File
Software <-----------> Package
File System Hierarchy
/home --> home directory for other users
/root --> It is home directory for root users
/boot --> It contains bootable files for Linux
/etc --> It contains all configuration files
/usr --> By default software is installed in this directory
/bin --> It contains commands used by all users.
/bin --> It contains commands used by only the root user
/opt --> Optional application software package
/dev --> Essential device files. This includes terminal devices, USB or any device attached to the system.
Basics Commands
- To know where you are. Present working directory (pwd)
create a folder/directory
To move inside the folder
Create empty files by the 'touch' command and list them by the 'ls' command
Creating hidden file and listing it by the 'ls -a ' command
Exploring the Fundamentals of Linux, Open Source Software, and Essential Linux Commands for Beginners
How to remove file or directory
rmdir <directoryName> --> This command is used to remove the specified directory(empty).
rmdir -p <directoryName> --> Remove both the parent and child directory.
rmdir -pv <directoryName> --> Removes all the parent and subdirectories.
rm -rf <filename> --> Remove even non-empty files and directories.
rm -rp <directoryName> --> Remove non-empty directories including parent and subdirectories.
rm -r <directoryName> --> Removes empty directory
rm <filename> --> delete file.
Conclusion:
In this beginner's guide, we've explored the basics of Linux and open-source software. We've learned that open source means freedom and flexibility. Linux, the core part, isn't the whole operating system, but it's like the heart of many Linux versions. We looked at Linux's features, structure and some commands. We also saw how to work with files and folders.
With this knowledge, you can confidently start your Linux journey. Experiment and learn.
