Linux has become an essential operating system (OS) for developers, system administrators, and cloud engineers. Known for its stability, security, and open-source nature, it powers everything from personal computers to large-scale servers.

What is Linux?

Linux is a Unix-like operating system that was first introduced by Linus Torvalds in 1991. It is unique because it is open-source, meaning the source code is available to anyone, and it can be modified and distributed freely.

Linux is typically used on servers, but it is also widely available for desktop use. Some popular Linux distributions (distros) include:

• Ubuntu

• Fedora

• Debian

• CentOS

• Arch Linux

Each distribution has its own package management system, desktop environments, and special tools, but the core of Linux (the kernel) remains the same across all distributions.

Basic Linux Concepts

• Kernel: The core part of Linux responsible for managing hardware and system resources.

• Shell: An interface that allows users to interact with the OS through commands. Common shells include Bash and Zsh.

• Terminal: A text-based interface where users input commands.

• Distributions (Distros): Different versions of Linux tailored for specific purposes. Popular distros include Ubuntu, CentOS, Fedora, and Debian.

The Linux Filesystem Hierarchy

Linux follows a structured directory system that can seem confusing to beginners at first. Here’s a quick breakdown of some important directories:

• / (Root): The base of the Linux filesystem. Everything is located under the root directory.

• /home: Contains home directories for all users. For example, /home/user is the home directory for a user named "user".

• /etc: Contains system configuration files.

• /bin: Contains essential user commands and binaries (like ls, cp, etc.).

• /var: Stores system logs and variable data like cache files.

• /tmp: Temporary files are stored here and typically cleaned up at boot.