In this article we will look at an introduction to Linux. You will learn what is Linux, various features of Linux and what are the reasons for learning Linux.
What is Linux?
Linux is a open-source and free operating system (unlike Microsoft Windows and Mac). It serves as a foundation for various distributions (or distros) like Fedora, Debian, and Ubuntu. Some of the features of Linux that makes it popular are:
- Kernel-based: At its core, Linux is a kernel, managing hardware resources and communication between hardware and software.
- Open-source: Linux is free to use, modify and distribute. Its source code is available for anyone.
- Multi-platform: It can run on a wide variety of devices like personal computers, mobile phones, servers, etc.
- Customizable: Linux is highly flexible and configurable. Users can modify or add functionality as per their requirements.
- Community-driven: Linux is developed and maintained by a global community, ensuring continuous development and updates.
- Secure and stable: Linux is known for its security and is used in servers and systems requiring high relaibility.
Why learn Linux?
Linux is used every where from personal computers to servers, mobiles, tabs and even on Internet of Things (IoT) devices. It is one of the popular operating systems. One more reason to learn Linux is that it is a part of the foundational skills required for cyber security. If you want to become a ethical hacker, then you should learn Linux.
The foundational skills required to become a ethical hacker or a cyber security expert are basic IT skills, networking skills, Linux skills, coding/scripting skills (like Python programming or bash scripting) and security basics.
Following are the some of the popular reasons to learn Linux:
- Industry standard: As already said Linux powers majority of the servers, cloud infrastructure, and super computers making it essential for IT and tech professionals.
- Career opportunities: Linux is a basic skill required for jobs in many industries. Especially roles like system administration, DevOps, cloud computing and cyber security require Linux.
- Security and stability: Linux is preferred for mission-critical applications as it is secure, stable and reliable.
- Efficient: Linux can run even on resource-constrained devices like IoT controllers making it necessary to learn it.
Tip: Practice makes you perfect! To solidify the concepts that you learn in this Linux fundamentals tutorial, it will be better you install one of the Linux distros on your system and practice.
Installation and configuration of Linux will be covered in one of the future articles.
In the next article, we will learn about different types of Linux distributions.
Suryateja Pericherla, at present is a Research Scholar (full-time Ph.D.) in the Dept. of Computer Science & Systems Engineering at Andhra University, Visakhapatnam. Previously worked as an Associate Professor in the Dept. of CSE at Vishnu Institute of Technology, India.
He has 11+ years of teaching experience and is an individual researcher whose research interests are Cloud Computing, Internet of Things, Computer Security, Network Security and Blockchain.
He is a member of professional societies like IEEE, ACM, CSI and ISCA. He published several research papers which are indexed by SCIE, WoS, Scopus, Springer and others.
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