here are over 130 Linux distributions (versions) and they can be administered (managed) by Linux Graphical User Interface (GUI) utilities – or by using Linux commands.
Linux GUI utilities give you a “point-and-click” interface for doing Linux administration tasks, like working with the Linux file system (to make directories and copy files), and to create Linux users. However, they are slow and awkward to use – and even worse, they are different from one Linux distribution to another!
On the flip side, Linux commands are virtually identical from one Linux distribution to another. So, when you learn a Linux command in one Linux distro, that same command will work in all 130+ Linux distros.
However, new Linux users often have difficulty learning how to use Linux commands to administer the Linux OS (operating system). This is because most Linux training materials are poorly written by Linux techies that don’t know how to write in plain English for people new to Linux.
Linux Tips: When you get Linux training, don’t spend time learning Linux GUI utilities – learn how to use Linux commands, even though they are a bit harder to learn than GUI utilities.
Linux Command Names
Linux command names are often an abbreviation of what the command does. For example, the rm command stands for remove.
Linux command names and command options are “case sensitive”. Lower case letters need to be typed in lower case and vice versa. You must type in a Linux command and the options of the command, exactly as shown.
Linux Tips: Be sure to put a space between the Linux command name, its options, and what the Linux command is being run “on”, such as the name of a file.
Linux Command Name Examples
Here are some Linux command examples. The task is described and then the Linux command name is shown.
make (create) a directory – the Linux command is md
create new Linux users – the useradd command is used for this
search the Linux file system for information – the Linux command is grep
see the “type” of a Linux file – the file command displays this information
see the names of new Linux users, currently working on the system – the Linux command is users
find Linux directories and files in the Linux file system – the command for this is called find
Linux video tutorials are an easy and fast way to get Linux training and actually “see” how to use Linux commands.
When you watch a Linux video tutorial, you get to see, hear and do! You see and hear how to run a Linux command and you can even pause the presentation so you can run the Linux command yourself!