Introduction to Linux
Recommended Distribution: Ubuntu 22.04 / 24.04 (LTS) Official Documentation: Linux Kernel Documentation / Ubuntu Documentation
Linux is an open-source operating system kernel, making it an essential tool for server development and operations.
1. What is Linux?
Started in 1991 by Linus Torvalds, Linux is an open-source kernel. Today, it powers most servers, Android smartphones, and supercomputers worldwide.
- Open Source: Anyone can view and modify the source code.
- Stability/Security: It is highly stable and optimized for multi-user environments.
- Diverse Distributions: You can choose between various distributions like Ubuntu, CentOS, Debian, or Fedora based on your needs.
2. Why Should Developers Learn Linux?
The primary reason is that most applications run on Linux servers.
- Server Environment: Cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) are fundamentally Linux-based.
- Tool Utilization: Modern development tools like Git and Docker are optimized for terminal-based environments.
- Automation: Repetitive tasks can be automated through shell scripting.
3. Getting Started with Linux (Practice Environment)
Methods to practice Linux without a full installation:
- WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux): The recommended way to use a Linux terminal within Windows.
- Virtual Machines: Using tools like VirtualBox to install Linux.
- Cloud Servers: Utilizing free tiers from providers like AWS EC2.
In the next section, we will learn basic commands for controlling Linux from the terminal.