Introduction to Linux

Introduction to Linux A Hands on Guide Machtelt Garrels CoreSequence.com <[email protected]> Version 1.8 Last updated 20030916 Edition Introduction to Linux Table of Contents Introduction.........................................................................................................................................................1 1. Why this guide?...................................................................................................................................1 2. Who should read this book?.................................................................................................................1 3. New versions of this guide...................................................................................................................1 4. Revision History..................................................................................................................................1 5. Contributions.......................................................................................................................................2 6. Feedback..............................................................................................................................................2 7. Copyright information.........................................................................................................................3 8. What do you need?...............................................................................................................................3 9. Conventions used in this document.....................................................................................................3 10. Organization of this document...........................................................................................................4 Chapter 1. What is Linux?.................................................................................................................................6 1.1. History..............................................................................................................................................6 1.1.1. UNIX.......................................................................................................................................6 1.1.2. Linus and Linux.......................................................................................................................7 1.1.3. Current application of Linux systems.....................................................................................8 1.2. The user interface..............................................................................................................................8 1.2.1. Is Linux difficult?....................................................................................................................8 1.2.2. Linux for non−experienced users............................................................................................9 1.3. Does Linux have a future?................................................................................................................9 1.3.1. Open Source............................................................................................................................9 1.3.2. Ten years of experience at your service................................................................................10 1.4. Properties of Linux.........................................................................................................................11 1.4.1. Linux Pros.............................................................................................................................11 1.4.2. Linux Cons............................................................................................................................12 1.5. Linux Flavors..................................................................................................................................13 1.5.1. Linux and GNU.....................................................................................................................13 1.5.2. GNU/Linux............................................................................................................................14 1.5.3. Which distribution should I install?......................................................................................14 1.6. Summary.........................................................................................................................................15 1.7. Exercises.........................................................................................................................................15 Chapter 2. Quickstart.......................................................................................................................................17 2.1. Logging in, activating the user interface and logging out..............................................................17 2.1.1. Introduction...........................................................................................................................17 2.1.2. Graphical mode.....................................................................................................................17 2.1.3. Text mode..............................................................................................................................19 2.2. Absolute basics...............................................................................................................................19 2.2.1. The commands......................................................................................................................19 2.2.2. General remarks....................................................................................................................20 2.2.3. Using Bash features...............................................................................................................21 2.3. Getting help.....................................................................................................................................22 2.3.1. Be warned..............................................................................................................................22 2.3.2. The man pages.......................................................................................................................22 2.3.3. More info...............................................................................................................................24 2.4. Summary.........................................................................................................................................27 2.5. Exercises.........................................................................................................................................27 i Introduction to Linux Table of Contents Chapter 2. Quickstart 2.5.1. Connecting and disconnecting...............................................................................................28 2.5.2. Passwords..............................................................................................................................28 2.5.3. Directories.............................................................................................................................28 2.5.4. Files.......................................................................................................................................29 2.5.5. Getting help...........................................................................................................................29 Chapter 3. About files and the file system......................................................................................................30 3.1. General overview of the Linux file system.....................................................................................30 3.1.1. Files.......................................................................................................................................30 3.1.2. About partitioning.................................................................................................................31 3.1.3. More file system layout.........................................................................................................34 3.2. Orientation in the file system..........................................................................................................37 3.2.1. The path.................................................................................................................................37 3.2.2. Absolute and relative paths...................................................................................................39 3.2.3. The most important files and directories...............................................................................39 3.2.4. The most important configuration files.................................................................................42 3.2.5. The most common devices....................................................................................................44 3.2.6. The most common variable files...........................................................................................45 3.3. Manipulating files...........................................................................................................................46 3.3.1. Viewing file properties..........................................................................................................46

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