if you’ve ever wondered why developers, system admins, and tech enthusiasts rave about Linux, you’re not alone. In this series, we’ll explore Linux from the ground up—starting with why it’s used, its benefits, and some basic but powerful commands every beginner should know.
🐧 What is Linux?
Linux is an open-source operating system—that means it’s free to use, modify, and distribute. It powers everything from smartphones (Android is Linux-based) to supercomputers, servers, and even space missions!
📜** A Quick History**
Linux was created in 1991 by Linus Torvalds as a hobby project.
He wanted to build a free alternative to the UNIX operating system.
The community loved it, contributed to it, and now Linux is everywhere!
💻 Why Linux Over Windows?
Free and Open Source – No license fees or restrictions.
Customizable – You can tweak every part of the OS.
Stable and Secure – Fewer viruses and system crashes.
Lightweight – Runs even on older hardware.
Developer-Friendly – Most programming and DevOps tools run natively on
Linux.Command Line Power – More control through terminal commands.
Windows is great for personal use and UI-focused tasks, but when it comes to servers, automation, or development work—Linux shines.
🧱 Linux Distributions
There’s no single “Linux OS”—there are many distributions (or distros) based on Linux:
Ubuntu – Great for beginners, very user-friendly.
Debian – Stable and reliable.
CentOS / Rocky Linux – Often used on servers.
Arch Linux – Customizable, for advanced users.
Kali Linux – Used for penetration testing and cybersecurity.
Choose one based on your needs. For beginners, Ubuntu is a great starting point.
🛠️ Basic Linux Commands You’ll Use Often
Here are a few essential Linux commands that beginners should know:
Command | Description
pwd | Prints the current working directory (your location in the file system)
ls | Lists files and directories
cd | Changes the directory
mkdir | Creates a new directory
touch | Creates a new file
rm | Deletes files or directories
cp | Copies files or directories
mv | Moves or renames files/directories
cat | Displays file content
clear | Clears the terminal screen
man | Shows manual/help for a command (e.g., man ls)
sudo | Runs a command with admin (superuser) permissions
Don’t worry if these look unfamiliar—we’ll go through each one step by step in the next parts of this series.
📌 Coming Up Next
In the next post, we’ll dive into using these commands with real-world examples and practice tasks. You’ll be navigating Linux like a pro in no time!
