Today we finally opened the terminal — and this is where Linux begins to feel like Linux.

No more clicking around folders like in Windows. Here, you take control using the shell.

It might initially feel intimidating, but these are the basics that build your confidence.

💻 Understanding the Shell Prompt

When you launch a terminal in Linux, you’ll see something like this:

[root@vbox ~]#

Here’s what that means:

  • root — This is the user (we’re logged in as the superuser here).
  • @vbox — The hostname of the machine. In this case, it’s called vbox.
  • ~ — This symbol refers to the home directory of the current user.
  • # — Indicates that you're using a root shell. Regular users see a $.

📁 Exploring the Linux File System

Everything starts from / (the root directory), and the system branches out from there:

Directory Purpose
/ Root of the file system
/home Home directories for users
/root Home for the root user
/bin Essential user binaries (commands like ls, cp, mv)
/sbin System binaries (commands used for system admin tasks)
/usr User-installed software and libraries
/etc Configuration files
/var Variable files like logs, mail, spool
/tmp Temporary files (cleared on reboot)
/mnt Mount point for temporarily mounted filesystems
/media Mount point for removable media (USB, CD-ROM)
/dev Device files (like disks, USBs, etc.)
/proc Virtual filesystem providing process info
/sys Virtual filesystem with system device info
/opt Optional or third-party software packages
/lib Essential shared libraries
/boot Boot loader files and kernel

Each folder has its own critical purpose — it keeps Linux organized and powerful.

🔧 Basic Linux Commands We Practiced

Here are the basic commands we explored — with examples:

💻 System Info & Utilities 

uname        # Print system info
uname -r     # Show kernel version
date         # Show current date and time
cal          # Display calendar
uptime       # How long the system has been running
whoami       # Shows currently logged-in user

📂 Navigation 

cd           # Change directory
cd /         # Go to root directory
cd ..        # Go one directory up
pwd          # Print current working directory

🧱 Directory & File Handling 

mkdir myfolder       # Create a new directory
ls                   # List contents of directory
ls -l                # List in long format (details)
ls -a                # Include hidden files
touch myfile.txt     # Create a blank file
rm myfile.txt        # Delete a file
rmdir myfolder       # Remove an empty directory

👤 User and Permissions 

su                  # Switch user
history             # Show recently used commands
clear               # Clear the terminal screen

💡 Troubleshooting Tip

If you try a command and see "command not found", check:

  • If you’re spelling it correctly
  • Whether the command is installed
  • If your $PATH variable includes the correct directories

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