Linux in Depth: A Comprehensive Guide to Navigating the Terminal
For many people, the mention of the Linux terminal can be intimidating. However, with a little bit of guidance, you'll see that it's not as complicated as it seems. In this article, we'll explore the basics of Linux and provide an in-depth overview of the terminal.
- What is the Terminal?
The terminal is a text-based interface that allows you to interact with the operating system using text commands. Think of it as a way to communicate with your computer using written language, rather than a graphical user interface (GUI) with icons and menus. The terminal is sometimes referred to as the "command line" or the "shell".
Note: If you're using Linux Mint or a similar distro and simply want to use it
as a daily use operating system, you may not need to learn all the
terminal commands. Linux Mint and many other Linux distributions come
with user-friendly GUIs that allow you to perform many tasks without
ever touching the terminal. Even for more advanced tasks, there are
often GUI-based programs available that allow you to accomplish the same
thing.However, mastering Linux can be a
valuable skill to have (even if you use a different OS), and it can look great on a resume. If you're
interested in pursuing a career in technology, learning Linux can be a
worthwhile investment of your time and effort.
- Linux Structure
Before diving into the terminal, let's first discuss the structure of Linux. Linux is based on a hierarchical file system, where everything starts from the root directory. The root directory is denoted by a forward slash (/) and all other directories are "subdirectories" of the root directory.
- Using the Terminal
To use the terminal, simply open the terminal application on your Linux system. Once you have the terminal open, you'll need to navigate the file system using commands such as cd (change directory), ls (list directory contents), and pwd (print working directory). These commands will help you move around the file system and locate the files and directories you need.
- Working with Files and Directories
Once you've located the files and directories you need, you can use commands such as mkdir (make directory), touch (create a file), and rm (remove) to create, modify, and delete files and directories. It's important to be cautious when using these commands, as they can have significant consequences if used incorrectly.
- Linux Administration
As you become more comfortable with Linux, you may want to explore more advanced topics such as Linux administration. Linux administration involves tasks such as managing users, configuring network settings, and securing the system. These tasks can be accomplished using commands such as useradd (add a user), ifconfig (configure network settings), and chmod (change file permissions).
- Service Management
Linux also allows you to manage services, which are programs that run in the background and provide specific functionality. You can use commands such as systemctl (system control) to manage services, including starting, stopping, and restarting them.
- Permissions Management
Finally, it's important to understand permissions management in Linux. Permissions determine who can access files and directories, and what level of access they have. You can use commands such as chmod (change file permissions) to modify permissions and control access to your files and directories.
- Conclusion
The Linux terminal may seem complicated at first, but with a little bit of practice, you can become comfortable navigating the file system, managing files and directories, and even performing more advanced tasks such as Linux administration and service management.
Now you may ask me: why is this useful?
Training resources: I highly recommend HTB Academy (HackTheBox Academy) and their Linux fundamentals course, it's where I personally gained all the basic knowledge. And don't worry if you are a Windows user (or else), you can still learn efficiently because they have a live lab where you can train.
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