IntroductionWhy You Should Learn LinuxHow to Learn with Zero Knowledge Conclusion Introduction Linux is one of the commonly used operating systems globally, especially in servers, developers environments, and cloud solutions. For anyone desiring a career in DevOps, or system administration or anyone simply seeking to improve his tech profile, grasping is a must. This guide is specially written for Linux novices or for people who have never installed Linux before and will assist you in the installation process. Why You Should Learn Linux Widely Used in IT and Development Linux is on more than 70 per cent of the world’s servers, clouds, and embedded systems. Various Industries use Linux because it is stable, performs well, and is also an open-source OS. Linux skills prepare you for multiple vocational positions and scenarios so it enhances your opportunity to secure yourself a place in industries such as IT, development and security. Open Source and Customizable That is why it is known as open source because anyone has the right to change it and even distribute it. This makes it preferred especially for software developers as well as Information technology personnel due to its flexibility and enhanced security. Once you understand the rudimentary structure of Linux, you could bend it to suit a certain particular demand such as web development, server operation, or even personal use. Critical and highly relevant for Cloud and DevOps and the Server Infrastructure. The majority of implementations run on Linux-based operating systems, and cloud companies such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud follow this trend by offering their clients Linux operating systems. Moreover, application tools, including Docker, Kubernetes and Jenkins, typically are deployed and operated in Linux-based platforms. Considering the fact that cloud computing, DevOps and system administration professions rely on Linux, learning it is mandatory. How to Learn with Zero Knowledge To start with let us understand the basics. However, we have to understand that before proceeding to the actual command line operations. What is Linux? Linux is a type of operating system like Windows or Mac operating system. Still, it is an open-source platform and there are several distros which can be used like Ubuntu, Fedora Centos etc. Why Linux? Security: People use this because of the operating system’s stability and security features. Flexibility: The difference in approach in using depends on the nature of the specific task of the computer that it is being used with, whether it is a PC, server, or an embedded system. Community Support: Linux has support and is updated quite frequently because of the community that works on it and contributes tutorials. Choose a Linux Distribution For first-time users, it’s recommended to use a nontechnical distro like Ubuntu or Linux Mint. These distributions have a lot of users and come with graphical user interfaces which helps the fresher. Learn the Command Line Therefore, the essence is in its ability to operate through the command line interface (CLI). However, Linux's incorporation of menu menu-driven environment allows easier usage of Linux but the power comes with the use of commands in the command line interface. Basic Commands: ls: It shows the files and directories available on the system in a tree-like structure. cd: Switches to a different directory in the system. pwd: Works to show the directory path in the current terminal window. cp: Duplicates files or one or many directories. mv: Copy, mv or rename files or directories to a new location. rm: unlink() function can be used to erase a file or a directory. man: Shows documentation containing a manual of a command (for example man ls). OF: Knowledge of how the file system of the works Linux has a different file system structure as compared to Windows or even Mac Operating System. Make sure that you are aware of the file system hierarchy that most systems use with all files and folders beginning with /. /home: Has user directories which are similar to C:\Users\ on the Windows operating system. /etc: Contains configuration files. /bin: Full of D0 / D1 binary commands. /var: They contain variable data files such as the system log files. Hands-On Practice I think the only way to learn is to start to use it and to do it the more one can practice the better it will be. Primarily, set up on a virtual machine or use the cloud to use the system while beginning with commands, files and so on. How to Get Started: Install: There are products such as Ubuntu that can be run on a virtual machine on a Windows operating system through software such as the virtual box or VMware. Use Cloud Platforms: Services from Amazon and Microsoft, for instance, have the free tier to practice running a server. Dual Boot: If you are feeling confident you can co-boot alongside the current operating system being used. Utilize Online Learning Resources There are plenty of free and paid resources available online to learn: Documentation Project: Has extensive articles and tutorials with the basics and frequently asked questions included. Online Courses: ThinkInspire: Provides Linux tutorials and classes for learners who have no prior experience with the operating system. Udemy: Classes for beginnersfrom the basic to the most advanced. Coursera: Offers for beginners classes and most of the classes are offered with the assistance of university professors. YouTube Channels: ThinkInspire: Offers practice sessions which are very essential for newcomers. LearnLinuxTV: Specifies detailed tutorials, guides and critiques. FreeCodeCamp: Provides comprehensive courses and study materials for users who have no charge to go for. Learn Shell Scripting The moment you feel ready for some more challenge with the commands, go for shell scripting. Shell scripts help to automate operations by typing scripts. Shell scripting makes it easier for you to work and carry out some difficult tasks because you do not have to struggle with typing long commands. Basic Shell Scripting Commands: echo: Returns the string to the terminal. for: It is used for the purpose of looping through files or data. if: On and off-controls depending on the true and false conditions. chmod: Change file permissions. Practice Real-World Projects It’s therefore advised that you apply the knowledge gained by working on small projects. Here are some project ideas to help you practice: Here are some project ideas to help you practice: Set Up a Local Web Server: To carry out the web server set-up, deploy Apache or Nginx on your machine. Automate Tasks with Shell Scripts: Use shell scripts in backing up data or in monitoring processes of the system. Manage Users and Permissions: Learn about managing users, groups and access permissions in Linux-based operating systems. Join the Community Engaging with the community will enhance your learning experience: Forums: Post here your inquiries and you will get assistance from some of the most active users of the site. Reddit: This article is especially for rulers like r / Linux or r/linux4noobs which is perfect for newcomers. Meetups: The people one should go to interact with are the ones that can be met at user groups or at meet-ups. Obtain a Certification If any of the readers are interested in having a job that relates, certifications are helpful to prove it and enhance the resume. Start with beginner-level certifications like Start with beginner-level certifications like: CompTIA Linux+: The absolute basic certification for system administration; presupposes no prior knowledge. LPIC-1 (Linux Professional Institute Certification): Is oriented on performing maintenance operations using the command line, on installing and configuring the basic network. Conclusion It can at times be very challenging to learn from the very basic level, but with time, resources and practice along with community support you can easily master using and managing them equally very well. Begin with the fundamental principles, be regular with practising and only then proceed towards other more complex things like shells and servers. Good luck, and happy learning to everyone who is starting their journey with Linux! 🎉
