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1. Understanding Linux

  • This Chapter is not very practical but may as well be the most important chapter in this whole roadmap. It focuses on the history of Linux, the different distributions, and the jargon used in the Linux community, all of which are needed to understand the Linux ecosystem and get proper help online if you get stuck.
  • There's no right path to linux, but this is definitely one of the best places to start learning about linux.
  • Resources consulted writing those nodes are linked below.
  • Article - What is Linux? - Web Tribunal
  • Article - The History of Linux - Linux.com

1.A What is Linux?

  • Linux is an UNIX inspired operating system. It is free and open source and it's used in many devices, from supercomputers to smartphones.
  • Just to make sure we are all on the same page. Here's a definition for the operating system: An operating system is software that manages all the hardware resources associated with your desktop or laptop. To put it simply, the operating system manages the communication between your software and your hardware. Without the operating system (often referred to as the "OS"), the software wouldn't function.

1.AA Bootloader Introduction

  • The software that manages the boot process of your computer. For most users, this will simply be a splash screen that pops up and eventually goes away to boot into the operating system.
  • At the time of writing, the most popular bootloaders are GRUB and systemd-boot. Other bootloaders exist, but they are not nearly as popular.
  • Documentation - Arch Boot Process
  • Documentation - systemd-boot
  • Documentation - GRUB

1.AB Kernel Introduction

  • This is the one piece of the whole that is actually called "Linux." The kernel is the core of the system and manages the CPU, memory, and peripheral devices. The kernel is the "lowest" level of the OS.
  • Documentation - Linux Kernel Troubleshooting

1.AC Daemons Introduction

  • These are background services (printing, sound, scheduling, etc) that either start up during boot, or after you log into the desktop.
  • SystemD is the most popular init system at the time of writing. It is responsible for starting and managing daemons.
  • Documentation - Systemd

1.AD Shell Introduction

  • You've probably heard mention of the Linux command line. This is the shell - a command process that allows you to control the computer via commands typed into a text interface. This is what, at one time, scared people away from Linux the most (assuming they had to learn a seemingly archaic command line structure to make Linux work). This is no longer the case. With modern desktop Linux, there is no need to ever touch the command line. Unless you want to do some advanced administrative tasks, there is nothing you need to type or learn in order to just use Linux.
  • The most common shells are Bash, Zsh, and Fish. Bash is the default shell for most Linux distributions.
  • Documentation - Bash
  • Documentation - Zsh
  • Documentation - Fish

1.AE Graphical Server Introduction

  • This is the sub-system that displays the graphics on your monitor. In the past the only option was the X server but that has now been replaced by Wayland on most systems. Wayland is regarded as a simpler, faster and more secure system.
  • Video - Wayland Is Superior To Xorg: But It Doesn't Matter - Brodie Robertson

1.AF Desktop Environment Introduction

  • This is the piece that the users actually interact with. There are many desktop environments to choose from (KDE, GNOME, Cinnamon, Enlightenment, XFCE, etc). Each desktop environment includes built-in applications (such as file managers, configuration tools, web browsers, games, etc.)
  • Documentation - Desktop Environment

1.AG Applications Introduction

  • Desktop environments do not offer the full array of apps. Just like Windows and Mac, Linux offers thousands upon thousands of high-quality software titles that can be easily found and installed. Most modern Linux distributions (more on this in a moment) include App Store-like tools that centralize and simplify application installation. For example, Ubuntu Linux has the Ubuntu Software Center (a rebranding of GNOME Software) which allows you to quickly search among the thousands of apps and install them from one centralized location.

1.B Short History of Linux

1.BA Linux Kernel

  • The Linux kernel was created in 1991 by Linus Torvalds. It was initially a hobby project, but it has since become the most widely used operating system kernel in the world. The Linux kernel is used in a wide variety of devices, including desktop computers, servers, mobile phones, tablets, and embedded devices.

1.BB GNU Project

  • The GNU Project was launched in 1983 by Richard Stallman with the goal of creating a free operating system. The GNU Project has produced many of the components of the Linux operating system, including the GNU C Compiler (GCC) and the GNU C Library (glibc).
  • The GNU Project was planned to be used with the Hurd kernel, but the Hurd kernel was not ready in time for the release of the GNU Project. (Still isn't to this day) As a result, the Linux kernel was used instead.
  • Article - GNU Project

1.BC Linux Distributions

1.BD Linux Desktop Environments

1.C Linux Distributions

  • A Linux distribution is a collection of software based on the Linux kernel. It includes the Linux kernel, system utilities, an installation program, and usually a package manager. There are hundreds of Linux distributions, each with its own unique features and target audience.
  • Linux's distributions might have completely different ideologies, but they all share the same kernel and most of the same software. The main differences between distributions are the package manager, the default desktop environment, and the default configurations.

1.CA Debian-based Distributions (e.g., Ubuntu, Debian)

  • Debian is a Linux distribution that is known for its stability and security. It is one of the oldest Linux distributions and is the basis for many other popular distributions, including Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and elementary OS.
  • Debian core ideology is to be 100% free software. This means that Debian does not include any proprietary software in its repositories, by default. Debian also has a strict policy on software licensing. Debian only includes software licensed under a free software license.
  • Documentation - Debian

1.CB RPM-based Distributions (e.g., Fedora, CentOS)

  • RPM is a package manager used by Red Hat-based distributions, such as Fedora, CentOS, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux. RPM is a command-line tool that allows you to install, upgrade, and remove software packages.
  • Fedora is a Linux distribution known for its bleeding-edge software. It is the upstream distribution for Red Hat Enterprise Linux and CentOS. Fedora is a community-driven distribution sponsored by Red Hat.
  • Documentation - Fedora

1.CC Others (e.g., Arch Linux, Gentoo)

  • Arch Linux is a Linux distribution known for its simplicity and customizability. It is a rolling release distribution, which means that it is constantly being updated with the latest software.
  • Gentoo is a Linux distribution known for its customizability and performance. It is a source-based distribution, which means that it is built from source code rather than pre-compiled binaries.
  • Documentation - Arch Linux
  • Documentation - Gentoo

1.D Linux Jargon

  • Linux (and Unix) have developed their own jargon over the years. This node contains are some of the most common terms you will come across.
  • Jargon has been a major part keeping the linux community together and it's also something a lof of new users may struggle with. So it's important to learn the jargon.
  • Oh, and... I use Arch btw.
  • Blog - The Jargon File
    • Kernel: The core of the operating system. It is responsible for managing the system's resources and providing an interface for user-level interaction.
    • Distribution (Distro): A Linux distribution is a collection of software based on the Linux kernel. It includes the Linux kernel, system utilities, an installation program, and usually a package manager. There are hundreds of Linux distributions, each with its own unique features and target audience.
    • Package Manager: A package manager is a tool that automates the process of installing, upgrading, configuring, and removing software packages. It is a collection of software tools that work together to automate the process of installing, upgrading, configuring, and removing software packages from a computer.
    • Desktop Environment (DE): A desktop environment is a collection of software designed to provide a consistent user experience across multiple applications and devices. It is a collection of software that provides a graphical user interface for a computer.
    • Terminal: A terminal is a program that allows you to interact with the computer using text commands. It is a program that allows you to interact with the computer using text commands.
    • Shell: A shell is a program that provides an interface for users to interact with the operating system. It is a program that provides an interface for users to interact with the operating system.
    • Command: A command is a program that performs a specific task. It is a program that performs a specific task.
    • Command Line Interface (CLI): A command line interface is a text-based interface that allows users to interact with the operating system using text commands. It is a text-based interface that allows users to interact with the operating system using text commands.
    • Graphical User Interface (GUI): A graphical user interface is a visual interface that allows users to interact with the operating system using graphical elements such as windows, icons, and menus. It is a visual interface that allows users to interact with the operating system using graphical elements such as windows, icons, and menus.
    • File System: A file system is a method of storing and organizing files on a computer. It is a method of storing and organizing files on a computer.
    • File Permissions: File permissions are a set of rules that determine who can access a file and what they can do with it. It is a set of rules that determine who can access a file and what they can do with it.