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Introduction

What you will learn in this course

  • Linux commands to manage
    • Files and Directories, permissions
    • Users and group
    • Memory and Processes
    • Software Package management
    • Archiving
  • Piping and Redirection for advanced operations
  • Vi editor to manage file editing
  • Advanced utilities like grep and shell

Why you learn commands

You might have this question why to learn commands if you can manage everything using the graphical interface.

Following are some of the reasions why you must consider learning command line

  • Commands you give you better control over the system than just the GUI which is always limited

  • Command line is direct interface with the Linux system faster than GUI mode

  • You can automate repeated tasks, for example, converting image files to specific sizes or deleting temporary files from computer etc.

Ruslan Osipov in his blog titled Power of Command Line gives very nice example.

Using graphical interface to back up files you will follows steps as given below

Right click file.
Left click on “Copy”.
Right click on some empty space.
Left click on “Paste”.
Right click on a newly created copy.
Left click on “Rename”.
Switch to a keyboard.
Type file.bak.

If you do the same opration on command line then you have to just run following command

` $ cp file{,.bak}

He has also given the the comparision table as follows

Factor CLI GUI
Ability to combine/chain tools Yes No
Easy to learn No Yes
Efficient for a novice user No Yes
Efficient for an experienced user Yes No
Good for occasional use No Yes
Good for repetitive tasks Yes No
Presents visual information well No Yes

Linux Distributions

You can install Linux on Virtual box or you can do the dual boot or single boot.

Before you decide to install Linux you need to know about the Linux distributions.

  • Linux distributons are nothing but flavers of the Linux
  • Distributions manage the outer layers of applications and packagment in the Operating System
  • You can choose any Linux distribution, usually the goals of these distros are usability, buid your own OS, stability, cutting edge softwares, low memory consumptions etc.

For this course we assume you have access to the Ubuntu 20.04 linux distribution

Review Questions

  • What are the functions of different layers in unix architecture
  • Explain different types of shells and their features
  • Install any Linux flaver using mannual partition mode on virtualbox or on you laptop and write down the process of installation
  • Explain the usage of partitions used in the Unix/Linux installation
  • Compare the Linux/Windows/MAC Os and Android Operating System