If you've ever been curious about Linux but unsure where to start, this guide is for you!
What is the First Thing to Do?
Just Install Linux!
We all started using computers without knowing how an operating system works. We logged in, played games, moved video files, and browsed the internet—all by doing. So, stop thinking about what to learn to start with Linux OS; just install it! There are many videos on how to install it; visit one, install, and start playing around. For beginners, choosing a user-friendly distribution like Ubuntu or Linux Mint can make the process smoother.
Basic Understanding of Linux
What is Linux? Is it an Operating System? What Does Kernel Mean?
Actually, Linux itself is technically just the kernel. A kernel is the core part of an operating system that manages hardware resources and allows applications to communicate with the hardware.
So What Does "Linux OS" Mean?
Different companies bundle the Linux kernel with other software components. This bundle makes a full-fledged operating system. That’s why we often refer to Linux distributions as "Linux OS" or just "Linux."
You can even create your own Linux OS using the Linux kernel!
What is a Linux Distribution?
To create a complete operating system, companies and communities take the Linux kernel and combine it with additional software (like the command line interface, graphical interface, and other utilities) to create what’s called a distribution or distro. There are lots of distros out there. Here are some of the most popular:
Ubuntu
Debian
Fedora
CentOS (or its successors: Rocky Linux and AlmaLinux)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Understanding the Kernel
So we are talking more about the kernel. What actually is it, and what kind of work does it do?
The kernel is the program that acts as a bridge between you and your hardware.
Confusing?
Let’s make it clearer!
Imagine you are going to a restaurant.
You request food via the server.
The server goes to the kitchen and informs the chef what the customer is asking for.
The chef prepares the food and gives it to the server.
who then takes the food and serves it to you.
It’s exactly the same with the kernel. When you request something, like creating a file, the kernel takes that request to the hardware and creates the file.
Communication with Your Computer
Linux offers two ways of communicating with the hardware: GUI (Graphical User Interface) and CLI (Command Line Interface).
GUI: This is what we’re mostly used to, similar to Windows, where we do everything visually.
CLI: This allows you to give instructions to the system directly. It’s like you and your computer are talking to each other. Imagine how fun it would be!
How Will You Communicate with Your Computer?
You can speak to it by using the Terminal Application.
Okay, Nithish, just before you said the kernel acts as a bridge and helps us talk to the system. But how can the terminal be used to talk to the system?
To answer this, let’s imagine a complete scenario:
Terminal App (Restaurant): This is where everything happens. Just like a restaurant is where you sit down and make requests, the terminal is where you enter commands and interact with the system.
Shell (Menu Card): The shell (like Bash or Zsh) provides you with a list of “commands” or “dishes” that you can execute, similar to how a menu card lists what you can order. It interprets the commands you type and makes sure they’re properly formatted, then sends them to the kernel.
Kernel (Server): The kernel is like the server who takes your order, interprets your needs, and decides what resources are needed. It communicates your commands to the hardware, making sure your request is properly handled.
Hardware (Chef): The hardware (CPU, memory, storage, etc.) is the chef that does the work behind the scenes to fulfill your order. It processes data, performs calculations, and returns the result to you via the kernel.
Now you understand how Linux operates at a basic level!
Conclusion
That’s it for today! Tomorrow we will discuss how the file system in Linux works, and we will go through the commands slowly. Before that, if you’re curious, just install Linux and play around. Try simple tasks like navigating around or creating a new folder, then come back and see what you’ve done and what it really does.