Getting Started With Linux Terminal

The Linux terminal could be intimidating. The dark screen with just commands to use. It’s easy to feel lost.

The thing is that Linux command line is a vast topic. You can manage the entire system using just the commands. I mean that’s the role of sysadmins, network engineers and many other jobs.

The aim of this tutorial collection is not to make you job-ready. It intends to give you the starting point of your Linux command line journey. It will give you enough to navigate the terminal and understand a few basic things like reading files and editing them.

Since it’s just the beginning, most of the tutorials are in the ‘file operation’ category. That’s where most Linux books and courses begin.

๐Ÿ“‹
The best way to learn is by doing it yourself. I have written the tutorials in ‘hands-on mode’ so you can follow the examples on your Linux system. Each chapter in the series contains some sample exercises to practice your learning. Follow, practice and you’ll be getting better at Linux command line in no time.

Chapter 0: Get familiar with the terminal and terminology

When you are absolutely new to the terminal, you’ll find yourself lost even while reading the tutorials. That’s because you may know always understand even the simplest of terms.

The article below will help you with some of that. While some of the tips I shared may be a little advance or not-so-useful for you at this moment, you’ll find plenty of useful stuff.

19 Basic But Essential Linux Terminal Tips You Must Know
Learn some small, basic but often ignored things about the terminal. With the small tips, you should be able to use the terminal with slightly more efficiency.
Getting Started With Linux Terminal

Chapter 1: Changing directories

In the first chapter, learn to switch directories (folders) using absolute and relative paths. This way, you can navigate in the Linux command line.

Changing Directories in Linux Terminal
Learn how to change directories in the Linux command line using absolute and relative paths in this part of the Terminal Basics series.
Getting Started With Linux Terminal

Chapter 2: Making directories

Now that you know about switching directories, learn about creating new ones.

Making Directories in Linux Terminal
Learn to make new folders in the Linux command line in this part of the Terminal Basics tutorial series.
Getting Started With Linux Terminal

Chapter 3: List what’s inside a directory

You are getting a good grasp of the directories. Learn to see inside directories and see what files and subdirectories do they have.

Listing the Contents of Directory With ls Command in Linux
In this chapter of Terminal Basics series, learn about displaying the contents of a directory, sorting them and checking file stats.
Getting Started With Linux Terminal

Chapter 4: Creating files

Enough about directories. Learn to create new files in the Linux command line.

Create New Files in Linux Terminal
In this chapter of Linux Terminal Basics series for beginners, learn about creating new files using Linux commands.
Getting Started With Linux Terminal

Chapter 5: Reading files

What’s inside the file? Learn to read text files in this chapter.

View the File Contents in Linux Command Line
In this chapter of the Terminal Basics series, youโ€™ll learn about viewing the contents of files in the Linux command line.
Getting Started With Linux Terminal

Chapter 6: Deleting files and directories

Now that you have learned to create new files and folders, it’s time to delete them.

Delete Files and Folders in Linux Command Line
You have learned to create files and directories. Now it is time to learn about deleting files and folders in the command line.
Getting Started With Linux Terminal

Chapter 7: Copying files and directories

Keep on with the file operations and learn to copy files and directories in this installment of the terminal basics series.

Copy Files and Directories in Linux Command Line
Learn how to copy files and directories in Linux using the command line in this part of the Terminal Basics series.
Getting Started With Linux Terminal

Chapter 8: Moving files and directories

Moving file operation is like cut-paste. You can use the same method for renaming files and directories as well.

Linux Terminal Basics #8: Move Files and Folders
In the eighth chapter of the Terminal Basics series, learn about moving files and directories using the mv command in Linux.
Getting Started With Linux Terminal

Chapter 9: Editing files

As the last major file operation, learn to edit text files in the command line.

Linux Terminal Basics #9: Editing Files in Linux Terminal
Learn about editing text files in the Linux terminal using the beginner friendly Nano editor in the second last chapter of this series.
Getting Started With Linux Terminal

Chapter 10: Getting help

Now that you have learned plenty of the basic Linux command line operation, it’s time to know how you can get help in the terminal itself.

Linux Terminal Basics #10: Getting Help in Linux Terminal
Learn how you can get help about using Linux commands in the final chapter of the Terminal Basics series.
Getting Started With Linux Terminal

Where to go from here?

Now that you are more comfortable with the terminal and know the basic file operations in the command line, you may wonder what comes next.

I will suggest getting a Linux book like How Linux Works. However, you can start with any Linux book you come across. Here are a few Linux books I love.

Best Linux Books For Beginners to Advanced Linux Users
Here are some Linux book recommendations to improve your knowledge. These books cater to the need of beginners and experts and help you master Linux concepts.
Getting Started With Linux Terminal

Don’t want to spend money on books yet? No worries! Here are some free Linux ebooks you can download.

20 Best Linux Books You Can Download For Free Legally
Let me share the best resource to learn Linux for free. This is a collection of Linux PDFs that you can download for free to learn Linux.
Getting Started With Linux Terminal

Bash scripting is also an integral part of Linux learning. Even if you don’t have to write shell scripts, if you know the basics, you should be able to understand scripts you come across while using Linux.

Learn Bash Scripting For Free With This Tutorial Series
New to bash? Start learning bash scripting with this series in am organized manner. Each chapter also includes sample exercises to practice your learning.
Getting Started With Linux Terminal

There is no limit to learning. It’s impossible to know it all. Yet, if you know at least the basics, it helps you in using the system more effectively.

๐Ÿ—จ I hope you like this Linux terminal tutorial series. Do share your feedback in the comments section.

Leave a Comment