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Linux/Unix Tutorial

Last Updated : 13 Jan, 2025
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Linux is a widely-used open-source operating system, similar to Windows, Mac, and Android. It shares similarities with Unix, another operating system known for its commercial use. Unix and Linux have comparable components, including the kernel, shell, and programs. Many commands in Unix and Linux exhibit similar behavior and syntax.

What is Linux Used For? – Linux is mostly used in servers, cloud computing, supercomputers, embedded systems, and developer environments. Its reliability, scalability, and security make it the backbone of web hosting, data centers, and IoT devices

This Linux tutorial designed for both beginners as well as experienced professionals, covering basic and advanced concepts of Linux such as Linux commands, directory and file management, man pages, file permissions, shells, and more.

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Additionally, we also provide a collections of Linux interview questions and all about Linux certifications and career with Linux to enhance your understanding.

Getting Started with Linux: Beginner to Advance Guide

This Linux tutorial provides a step-by-step guide for mastering Linux. You’ll begin with Linux basics and gradually progress to advanced topics like networking, file permissions, and package management. By the end of this Linux tutorial, you’ll have a strong foundation in Linux and its practical applications.

Introduction to Linux

Learning the basics of Linux helps you understand how this powerful operating system works, why it’s widely used in various fields, and how it differs from Windows with its open-source nature, better security, and flexibility in customization.

Installing Linux

In this section you will learn diffrent ways to install and run Linux in your system:

Complete Linux Commands

Linux commands are instructions entered in the terminal to perform tasks such as navigating directories, managing files, monitoring system performance, and installing software. Here are all the Linux commands in order:

Basic Linux Commands

Linux File System

File Management in Linux

Here you can get the basic of File – File Management in Linux

File Permissions in Linux

Searching Files in Linux

Viewing Files in Linux

Package Management

Package management in Linux involves installing, updating, and removing software using package managers like apt, yum, or dnf. It simplifies handling software dependencies and ensures systems stay updated and secure.

User and Group Management

Managing users and groups in Linux involves creating, modifying, and controlling user accounts, assigning permissions, and organizing users into groups for efficient access control and system security.

Introduction to User and Group Management

User Management

Linux Networking

Linux networking covers everything from configuring IP addresses and managing network interfaces to setting up firewalls, monitoring traffic, and enabling communication between devices and servers:

Linux Firewall

Shell Scripting

Shell scripting is writing a series of commands in a script file to automate tasks in a Linux or Unix shell. It simplifies repetitive tasks like file management, system monitoring, and process automation, using languages like Bash or other shell environments:

Linux Shell and Shell Scripting

Types of Shells

Basics of Shell Scripting

Creating and Running Shell Scripts

Variables in Shell Scripting

Bash Scripting

Control Structures in Shell Scripting

Advanced Topics in Shell Scripting

System Administration

System administration in Linux involves managing and maintaining Linux systems, including tasks like user management, file permissions, software installation, network configuration, and monitoring system performance. It ensures the system operates efficiently and securely.

Introduction to Linux System Administration

Core Topics in Linux System Administration

Monitoring and Troubleshooting

Linux Systemd and Boot Process

Managing Systemd Services

Advance Linux Concepts

Linux Kernel

Virtualization

Networking Services

Web Server Administration

Linux Cloud

Some working with different package managers (dpkg, yum, dnf, apt-get):

Best Approach to Learn Linux

Here’s the step-by-step approach to learn and master Linux efficiently and effectively:

  1. Understand Linux Basics: Start by learning what Linux is, its distributions (distros), and its core components like the kernel, shell, and file system.
  2. Install a Linux Distro: Choose a beginner-friendly distribution like Ubuntu or Fedora and set it up on your system (dual boot or virtual machine).
  3. Learn Basic Commands: Familiarize yourself with essential commands like ls, cd, pwd, cp, mv, rm, and mkdir. Practice navigating directories and managing files.
  4. Explore the File System: Understand the Linux file structure, including /home, /var, /etc, and /usr. Learn how permissions work using chmod, chown, and ls -l.
  5. Work with Text Editors: Get comfortable with terminal-based editors like Vim or Nano for creating and editing files.
  6. Understand Package Management: Learn how to install, update, and remove software using package managers like apt (Debian-based) or yum/dnf (Red Hat-based).
  7. Explore Shell Scripting: Start writing basic shell scripts to automate repetitive tasks and understand how shell scripting integrates with Linux commands.
  8. Manage Processes and Services: Use commands like ps, top, and kill to manage processes and explore system services using systemctl.
  9. Networking in Linux: Understand networking basics like IP configuration (ifconfig or ip), checking connectivity (ping), and managing firewall settings (ufw or iptables).
  10. Learn Advanced Tools: Explore tools like grep, awk, sed, and cron for text processing and task scheduling.
  11. Work on Real Projects: Set up a web server using Apache or Nginx, configure SSH for remote access, or create a simple home automation script.
  12. Stay Updated: Regularly practice and stay updated with the latest Linux features, commands, and best practices by joining Linux forums and following tutorials.

By following this structured approach, you’ll gain both the foundational knowledge and practical experience needed to use and manage Linux systems effectively.

Linux is Best Suitable For

  • Web Servers & Hosting: Linux powers popular web servers like Apache and Nginx, making it a favorite for hosting websites and applications.
  • System Administration: Ideal for managing servers, with tools like cron, ssh, and systemctl for automation and maintenance.
  • Cloud Computing: Foundational for platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, offering scalability and reliability.
  • Cybersecurity & Ethical Hacking: Used in penetration testing with specialized distros like Kali Linux and tools like Metasploit.
  • Data Science & Analysis: Supports powerful tools like R, Jupyter Notebook, and Python libraries such as Pandas and NumPy.
  • Software Development: Offers robust support for languages like Python, Java, and C++, along with version control tools like Git.
  • Gaming: With platforms like SteamOS and support for gaming engines, Linux is growing in the gaming industry.

Linux Interview Questions

Prepare for Linux interviews with these commonly asked questions, covering topics like commands, shell scripting, system administration, networking, and troubleshooting:

Linux Certifications

Earning a Linux certification validates your expertise in Linux administration, troubleshooting, and system management, opening doors to career opportunities in IT and networking.

Certification Experience Details Fees Post-Certification Opportunities
CompTIA Linux+ 12 months hands-on experience with Linux servers recommended. Covers system management, security, scripting, and troubleshooting. $369 (exam only)  Qualifies for roles like Linux Administrator, Network Administrator, and Technical Support Specialist.
Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) Prior experience or training in Linux system administration beneficial. Focuses on installation, configuration, and management of RHEL systems. $400 per exam; two exams required  Opens opportunities as a Red Hat System Administrator, with an average salary of $130,000.
Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC-1) Basic experience with Linux systems advantageous. Validates ability to perform maintenance tasks, work at the command line, and install & configure a computer running Linux. $200 per exam; two exams required  Entry-level positions in Linux system administration.
Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS) Practical experience with Linux systems beneficial. Emphasizes command-line management and basic system administration tasks. $375 for the exam  Validates skills for junior-level system administrator roles.
Oracle Linux Certification Hands-on experience with Oracle Linux recommended. Focuses on Oracle Linux system administration and implementation. ₹10,475 per exam  Opportunities as an Oracle Linux System Administrator.

Why Pursue a Linux Certification?

  • Validates technical skills and increases job prospects.
  • Enhances credibility for roles in system administration, DevOps, and cloud computing.
  • Provides in-depth knowledge for efficient Linux management.

Career & Jobs in Linux 2025

Linux offers diverse career opportunities across industries. Here’s a list of the best career options available for professionals with Linux expertise, along with their average salaries.

Career Average Salary (INR) Per Annum Average Salary (USD) Per Annum
Linux System Administrator ₹400,000 – ₹1,000,000 $50,000 – $90,000
DevOps Engineer ₹800,000 – ₹2,000,000 $80,000 – $140,000
Cloud Engineer ₹900,000 – ₹2,400,000 $90,000 – $150,000
Security Analyst ₹700,000 – ₹1,800,000 $75,000 – $130,000
Network Engineer ₹500,000 – ₹1,200,000 $55,000 – $100,000
Linux Kernel Developer ₹1,000,000 – ₹2,500,000 $100,000 – $160,000
Technical Support Engineer ₹300,000 – ₹800,000 $40,000 – $70,000
Automation Engineer ₹500,000 – ₹1,200,000 $55,000 – $100,000
Embedded Systems Engineer ₹700,000 – ₹1,500,000 $70,000 – $120,000
Database Administrator ₹600,000 – ₹1,500,000 $60,000 – $120,000

Also read – 5 Tips to Make a Career as a Linux Kernel Developer

List of Companies Use Linux

These are some popular companies that use Linux in thier workflow:

Company Description
Google Linux forms the backbone of Google’s servers, powering its search engine, cloud services, and data centers.
Amazon Amazon Web Services (AWS) relies heavily on Linux for scalability, flexibility, and security in its cloud infrastructure.
Facebook Uses Linux for its servers to handle massive data processing and ensure efficient social media operations.
NASA Employs Linux for high-performance computing, simulations, and managing space exploration projects.
Twitter Relies on Linux to power its servers and maintain seamless platform performance for millions of users.
IBM A major supporter of Linux, IBM integrates it into its hardware solutions and enterprise systems.
Netflix Uses Linux to run its cloud-based servers, ensuring uninterrupted streaming services worldwide.
Tesla Tesla’s in-car systems, Autopilot, and backend infrastructure are powered by Linux for reliability and performance.
Wikipedia Wikipedia operates on Linux servers to manage its vast knowledge base and serve millions of daily users.
Airbnb Utilizes Linux for its servers to handle booking systems, data processing, and backend services.

FAQs on Linux Tutorial

Q1: How to create a file in Linux?

To create a file in Linux, you can use the `touch` command followed by the desired file name. For example: touch filename.txt

Q2: Is Linux a programming skill?

No, Linux is not a programming skill. Linux is an operating system that provides a powerful command-line interface and a vast array of development tools and libraries, making it a preferred platform for software development.

Q3: What is a Linux command?

A Linux command is a text-based instruction entered into the terminal or command-line interface to perform specific operations.

Q4: How much time does it take to learn Linux?

Mastering Linux administration and advanced topics may require months or even years of continuous learning and hands-on experience.

Q5: What is Linux used for?

Linux is used in a wide range of applications and environments but it is commonly used as a server operating system due to its stability, security, and scalability.

Q6: What are the benefits of Linux?

There are several benefits of using Linux:

  • Open Source: Linux is distributed under free open-source licenses, allowing users to access and modify the source code.
  • Stability and Security: Linux is known for its stability and security, making it less prone to crashes, malware, and other vulnerabilities compared to other operating systems.
  • Customization: Linux offers a high degree of customization, allowing users to configure and tailor their systems to specific needs and preferences.
  • Compatibility: Linux supports a wide range of hardware architectures and offers compatibility with various file systems, software, and protocols.
  • Performance: Linux is known for its efficiency and performance, often outperforming other operating systems, especially in resource-constrained environments.


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