Mastering Linux Terminal
Why Choose the Command Line?
Ever noticed how in movies, the legendary "super hacker" bypasses military-grade security without even touching a mouse? There's a reason: typing on a keyboard remains our instinctive way of truly getting things done on a computer.
Many computer users today are well-versed in the graphical user interface (GUI), often led to believe that the command line interface (CLI) is an antiquated relic. It's regrettable because a robust command line interface offers an incredibly expressive means of interacting with a computer, akin to the potency of written language for humans. While GUIs excel at simplifying easy tasks, command line interfaces make tackling complex tasks feasible—then and now.
Linux, modeled after the Unix lineage, inherits a treasure trove of command line tools from its forebear. During Unix's rise in the early 1980s (initially developed a decade earlier), GUIs weren't widespread, resulting in the evolution of an extensive command line interface. Early Linux adopters were drawn to its potent command line, making it the go-to choice for accomplishing the "impossible" tasks.
What You'll Find in This Course
This book provides a comprehensive guide to thriving within the Linux command line ecosystem. Unlike texts that focus solely on a single program, like bash, this book aims to unveil the broader landscape of the command line interface. How does it function? What capabilities does it offer? What's the optimal way to harness its power?
It's important to note: this isn't a deep dive into Linux system administration. While the discussion naturally touches on administrative aspects, this book only lightly brushes upon a few administration issues. Yet, it furnishes a solid groundwork for further exploration, crucial for any serious system administration task.
Focused on Linux, this book eschews the tendency to dilute its content by including diverse platforms like generic Unix and OS X. Instead, it squarely targets contemporary Linux distributions. Although 95% of the content remains beneficial for users of other Unix-like systems, this book distinctly caters to the modern Linux command line aficionado.
What's In This Course
The content is organised in a thoughtfully selected order, similar to having a tutor by your side, leading you through the process. While some authors approach this material systematically, which is logical from their standpoint, it can often bewilder inexperienced users.
An additional objective is to familiarise you with the Unix mindset, which diverges from the Windows mindset. Throughout the process, we will embark on a few detours to enhance your understanding of the underlying reasons behind certain functionalities and their historical development. Linux is not merely a software entity; it also represents a fractional segment of the extensive Unix culture, encompassing its unique language and historical background. As an extra touch, I might even include a couple of passionate outbursts.
The book is structured into four sections, each dedicated to exploring a specific facet of the command line journey:
In Part 1, titled "Learning The Shell," we embark on our journey to grasp the fundamental language of the command line. This section delves into essential topics such as command structure, navigating the file system, editing commands on the command line, and accessing help and documentation resources for commands.
Learning The ShellPart 2, named "Configuration And The Environment," delves into the realm of modifying configuration files that dictate the operation of the computer directly from the command line.
Configuration And The EnvironmentIn Part 3, titled "Common Tasks And Essential Tools," we delve into the realm of various everyday tasks frequently accomplished through the command line. Unix-like operating systems, including Linux, encompass a multitude of "classic" command line programs renowned for their ability to execute robust operations on data.
Common Tasks And Essential ToolsPart 4, titled "Writing Shell Scripts," initiates our exploration into shell programming—a straightforward yet powerful technique for automating numerous routine computing tasks. While acknowledging its basic nature, shell programming proves to be easily graspable. By acquiring proficiency in shell programming, you will also gain familiarity with concepts that can be extended to various other programming languages.
Writing Shell ScriptsLast updated