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🐧 Linux/Unix Tutorial – Learn Linux Commands and Shell Scripting (2025 Guide)

🚀 Master Linux and Unix with this beginner-to-pro tutorial. Learn essential commands, shell scripting, file management, and system administration.

🔍 What is Linux/Unix?

Linux and Unix are multiuser, multitasking operating systems widely used across desktops, servers, cloud infrastructure, and embedded devices.

🆓 Linux: Open-source and community-developed (based on Unix)
🧱 Unix: Proprietary system used in large enterprises (AIX, Solaris)

🎯 Why Learn Linux/Unix?

Linux is the foundation of modern IT and cloud services.

✅ Key Benefits:

💡 Open-source and cost-free
🔐 Highly secure and stable
⚡ Fast and efficient
👨‍💻 Preferred by DevOps, sysadmins, and developers
💻 CLI-based control and automation

⚖️ Linux vs Unix – Key Differences

📌 Feature	🐧 Linux	🧱 Unix
License	Open-source (GNU/GPL)	Proprietary (paid)
Usage	Desktops, servers, IoT	High-end servers
Distros	Ubuntu, CentOS, Fedora	AIX, Solaris, HP-UX

🧾 Basic Linux Commands

Run these in the terminal:

pwd           # Show current directory
ls            # List directory contents
cd /path      # Change directory
touch file    # Create a new file
mkdir dir     # Make a new directory
rm file       # Remove file
cp src dest   # Copy file
mv src dest   # Move or rename file

📚 View manual pages:

man ls

📁 Working with Files & Directories

📝 Create/Edit Files:

nano file.txt
vi file.txt

🔒 Permissions & Ownership:

chmod 755 file
chown user:group file
ls -l  # View file permissions

🗂️ Understanding Linux File System

📂 Directory	🔍 Purpose
`/home`	User directories
`/bin`	System binaries
`/etc`	Configuration files
`/usr`	User-installed software
`/var`	Variable data like logs
`/root`	Superuser home directory

👥 User & Group Management

➕ Add Users/Groups:

sudo adduser john
sudo groupadd devs

👥 Assign User to Group:

sudo usermod -aG devs john

🔄 Switch User:

su - john

🔄 Process Management

📊 View & Kill Processes:

top
ps aux
kill <PID>

⏳ Background Jobs:

command &
jobs
fg %1

📦 Package Management by Distro

Ubuntu/Debian:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install nginx

Red Hat/CentOS:

sudo yum install httpd

Arch Linux:

sudo pacman -S package

🐚 Shell Scripting Basics

Create a shell script file:

#!/bin/bash
echo "Welcome to Linux!"

🛠️ Make Executable:

chmod +x script.sh
./script.sh

📌 Use variables, loops, conditionals for automation.

🌐 Networking Commands

ip a                  # Show IP addresses
ping google.com       # Test internet connection
netstat -tuln         # View open ports
ss -tuln              # Faster alternative to netstat
scp file user@ip:/path # Secure file transfer

📈 System Monitoring & Logs

💽 Check Disk/Memory:

df -h      # Disk usage
free -m    # Memory usage

📑 Read Logs:

cat /var/log/syslog
tail -f /var/log/auth.log

⏰ Cron Jobs – Task Scheduling

Edit User Crontab:

crontab -e

Example:

0 5 * * * /home/user/backup.sh

📅 Runs script daily at 5 AM.

🧰 Essential Linux Tools

🔍 grep – Text searching
📐 awk – Text & column processing
🧹 sed – Stream editing
📦 tar – Archive/unarchive files
🌐 curl – Fetch from URLs
💾 wget – Download web files

🧑‍💻 Top Linux Distros to Explore

🐧 Ubuntu – Best for beginners
🧱 Debian – Stable and open
🛡️ CentOS / Rocky Linux – Enterprise-friendly
🧪 Kali Linux – Cybersecurity & hacking
🔍 Arch Linux – DIY & advanced control

📚 Best Resources to Learn Linux/Unix

📘 Linux Journey
📖 The Linux Command Line Book
📚 Ubuntu Documentation
🎥 YouTube Channels – NetworkChuck, DorianDotSlash
🧠 Red Hat Training & Certs

✅ Conclusion

Linux/Unix is the bedrock of servers, cloud, and DevOps. Whether you’re building automation, managing infrastructure, or just exploring the CLI, learning Linux will level up your tech journey.

💪 Start small with commands, build scripts, and master system tasks step by step.