Learning to Work with Linux: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Linux is a powerful and flexible operating system used both on servers and personal computers. Thanks to its openness and large community of users, Linux is becoming increasingly popular among developers, system administrators, and regular users. In this article, we will cover the main steps for learning Linux, get acquainted with the command line, and learn how to perform basic tasks.

Installing Linux

Before starting work, it is important to choose a suitable Linux distribution. The most popular ones are Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, and Linux Mint. They differ in ease of use and the set of pre-installed programs. For installation, it is recommended to create a bootable USB drive using programs like Rufus or Etcher, then boot from it and follow the installer instructions.

After successful system installation, you will need to set up network connection, install necessary updates, and prepare your workspace.

Basics of the Command Line

Linux is primarily managed via the terminal, where commands are entered. Basic commands to familiarize yourself with include:

• ls — displays a list of files and directories in the current directory.


• cd — changes the current directory.


• pwd — outputs the path to the current directory.


• cp — copies files and directories.


• mv — moves or renames files.


• rm — deletes files and directories.


• mkdir — creates a new directory.


• rmdir — deletes an empty directory.


• cat — views the contents of a file.


• nano or vim — text editors.


• apt-get or dnf — installs and updates software.


• sudo — executes commands with administrator privileges.

Initially, it is recommended to master navigation through the file system, working with files, and installing programs.

Package Management

Each Linux distribution uses its own package manager. For example, Ubuntu and Debian use apt, Fedora uses dnf. To install programs, simply run a command like:

sudo apt install program_name

System updates are performed with the command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

To search for packages, use the command apt search. For example, to find the Nano text editor, run:

apt search nano

Network and Device Configuration

Working with the network includes viewing current connection status and configuring IP addresses. To view network information, use the command ip a. Wi-Fi configuration can be done via the graphical interface or using the nmcli command. For example, to connect to a Wi-Fi network:

nmcli device wifi connect network_name password password

Connecting via SSH allows managing remote servers. To connect, use the command:

ssh user@IP_address

Working with Files and Text Editors

Editing text files is an important aspect of working with Linux. Built-in editors like nano and vim allow quick modifications. For example, to edit the file config.txt, run:

nano config.txt

If you need a more powerful tool, it is worth mastering vim, which has extensive functionality and plugin support.

Task Automation

To automate repetitive tasks, use Bash scripts. Scripts allow you to run a sequence of commands, which is convenient for system setup or backups. Here's an example of a simple script:

#!/bin/bash

echo "Starting backup..."

tar -czf backup.tar.gz /path/to/files

echo "Backup completed."

Create a file with a .sh extension, make it executable with chmod +x, and run it as needed.

Security and Updates

Keeping the system up-to-date is key to security. Regularly perform updates via the package manager. Use commands like apt upgrade or equivalents for your distribution. It is also recommended to set up a firewall using the ufw utility:

sudo ufw enable

Check the firewall status with the command:

sudo ufw status

Useful Resources for Learning Linux

For further learning, it is recommended to use official documentation, online courses, and forums. Good sources include:

• Ubuntu Tutorials


• Linux Command


• Stack Overflow - Linux


• Linux Forums

Practice and continuous solving of real-world tasks are the keys to successfully mastering Linux. Start with simple tasks, gradually increase complexity, and do not be afraid to experiment.