1.
Understanding the Linux Terminal
The Linux terminal (also known as the command line interface or CLI) is a text-
based interface used to interact with the operating system. In this interface, you
can run commands to perform tasks like navigating directories, managing files, and
installing software.
Linux:
Amazon Linux 2
Ubuntu (various versions)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
CentOS
Debian
SUSE Linux
FreeBSD
Windows:
Windows Server (2012, 2016, 2019, 2022)
2.Linux Commands
Navigating the File System:
pwd (Print Working Directory)
Usage: Displays the current directory you're in.
Example:
$ pwd
/home/user
ls (List)
Usage: Lists files and directories in the current directory.
Example:
$ ls
Desktop Documents Downloads Pictures
ls -l: Detailed list, showing permissions, size, and date.
ls -a: Show hidden files.
cd (Change Directory)
Usage: Changes the current directory to another one.
Example:
$ cd /home/user/Documents
cd ..
Usage: Moves up one directory level.
Example:
$ cd ..
Working with Files:
touch (Create a file)
Usage: Creates an empty file.
Example:
$ touch newfile.txt
cat (Concatenate and display content of a file)
Usage: Displays the content of a file.
Example:
$ cat newfile.txt
cp ( a file or directory)
Usage: Copies a file or directory from one location to another.
Example:
$ cp file1.txt /home/user/Documents/
mv (Move or Rename a file or directory)
Usage: Moves or renames a file or directory.
Example:
$ mv oldfile.txt newfile.txt
rm (Remove a file)
Usage: Deletes a file.
Example:
$ rm unwantedfile.txt
rmdir (Remove an empty directory)
Usage: Removes an empty directory.
Example:
$ rmdir emptydir
rm -r (Remove a directory and its contents)
Usage: Deletes a directory and all of its contents.
Example:
$ rm -r foldername
Viewing and Editing Files:
vi (Text editor)
Usage: Opens a text editor for creating or editing files.
Example:
$ nano myfile.txt
Tips:
Use CTRL + O to save the file.
Use CTRL + X to exit.
vi or vim (Advanced text editor)
Usage: Opens the vi or vim text editor (more advanced).
Example:
$ vi myfile.txt
Viewing Process Information:
ps (Process Status)
Usage: Displays the currently running processes.
Example:
$ ps
top (Task Manager)
Usage: Displays running processes and resource usage in real-time.
Example:
$ top
kill (Terminate a process)
Usage: Ends a running process by its PID (Process ID).
Example:
$ kill 1234
File Permissions:
chmod (Change file permissions)
Usage: Modifies the permissions of a file or directory.
Example:
$ chmod +x script.sh
chown (Change file ownership)
Usage: Changes the owner and/or group of a file or directory.
Example:
$ chown user:group myfile.txt
Searching and Finding Files:
find (Search for files and directories)
Usage: Searches for files and directories within a specified path.
Example:
$ find /home/user -name "file*.txt"
grep (Search for text patterns in files)
Usage: Searches for a pattern in files.
Example:
$ grep "pattern" filename.txt
System Information:
df (Disk space usage)
Usage: Displays information about disk space usage.
Example:
$ df -h
free (Memory usage)
Usage: Shows memory usage (RAM).
Example:
$ free -h
uptime (System uptime)
Usage: Displays how long the system has been running.
Example:
$ uptime
hostname (Show or set the system’s hostname)
Usage: Displays the system’s hostname.
Example:
$ hostname
Explanation of Major Directories:
/: The root directory. All files and directories start from here.
/bin: Contains essential system binaries (programs) that are used by both the
system and users.
/boot: Contains boot loader files like the kernel and initial RAM disk images.
/dev: Contains device files that represent hardware devices (e.g., hard drives, USB
drives).
/etc: Contains configuration files for the system and installed software.
/home: Contains the personal directories of users. Each user has their own
directory here.
/lib: Contains shared libraries needed for system programs to run.
/media: Mount points for removable media (like CDs, DVDs, USB drives).
/mnt: Temporary mount points for file systems, like mounted network drives.
/opt: Optional software packages installed on the system.
/proc: Virtual filesystem providing system information, like CPU and memory stats.
/root: The root user's home directory (not to be confused with /).
/run: Stores runtime data (temporary files, system logs).
/sbin: Contains system binaries for administrative tasks, typically used by root.
/srv: Contains data for services provided by the system, like web servers.
/sys: Virtual filesystem that provides information about kernel and devices.
/tmp: Temporary files that can be deleted on reboot.
/usr: Contains user applications, libraries, and documentation.
/var: Variable data like logs, mail, and other files that change over time.
