Master the Terminal in Linux: Essential Commands for Beginners and Experts

The Linux terminal is a powerful tool that everyone, from beginners to experts, can use to increase their productivity and efficiency when operating a Linux system. Through the terminal, you can perform tasks from the simplest, such as navigating between directories, to the most complex, such as bash programming or monitoring system resources.

How to Open the Terminal in Linux?

Figuring out how to open the terminal may vary depending on the Linux distribution you're using, but here are some common methods:

• Graphic work area: Find the terminal application in your workspace. It may be called "Terminal", "Konsole", "XTerm", "Gnome Terminal" or something similar, depending on your desktop environment.

• Keyboard shortcut: Many distributions set up a keyboard shortcut to quickly open the terminal. Usually, you can try Ctrl + Alt + T.

• Context menu: By right-clicking on the desktop or in a file manager, you will often find an option to open a terminal in the current location.

Once you have the terminal open, you are ready to start entering commands.

Introduction to Basic Commands

Getting started with the terminal can be intimidating, but with a few basic commands, you can accomplish many everyday tasks easily.

Navigation between Directories

• pwd (print working directory): Shows the current directory you are in.

• ls (list): Lists the files and folders in the current directory. To show hidden files, use ls -a.

• CD (change directory): Change the current directory to the one you specify. cd.. takes you to the top directory.

Management of files and directories

• mkdir (make directory): Create a new directory.

• rmdir (remove directory): Removes an empty directory.

• rm (remove): Delete files or directories. Uses rm -r for directories with content.

• cp (copy): Copy files or directories. Uses cp -r to copy directories.

• mv (move): Move or rename files or directories.

Manipulating and Viewing File Content

• cat: Concatenates and displays the contents of files.

• more o less: Displays the contents of a file page by page.

• head y tail: They show, respectively, the beginning and the end of a file.

• touch: Creates an empty file or updates the timestamp of an existing file.

• grep: Searches for text patterns within files.

System Administration

• sudo (superuser do): Run a command with superuser privileges.

• apt-get, yum o dnf: Commands to install, update or remove software, depending on your package manager.

• top o htop: Shows running processes and system resource usage.

System information

• join me -a: Displays information about the system.

• df: Reports hard drive space usage.

• free: Shows the amount of free and used memory in the system.

Advanced Commands for the Expert User

As you become more familiar with the terminal, you'll want to explore more sophisticated functionality. Here are some advanced commands:

Shell Scripting and Automation

• Bash: The default shell on many distributions, useful for writing complex scripts.

• cron y crontab: Schedule and manage automated tasks.

Networking and Resource Monitoring

• netstat: Shows network statistics.

• H.H: Another tool to view network connections.

• iftop o nethogs: Monitor network traffic.

• lsof: List open files and network ports.

Deeper Levels of the System

• strace: Traces system calls.

• systemctl: Controls and manages services systemd.

• journalctl: View and manage system logs.

Text and Data Processing

• awk y thirst: Powerful tools for text processing in the terminal.

• sort, uniq y cut: Manage and modify the text of files.

Permit Management

• chmod, chown y chgrp: Change the permissions, owner, and group of files and directories respectively.

Tricks and Tips for Productivity

The terminal also has features that make it extremely flexible and powerful. Here are some tips:

• Command history: Press the up/down arrows to navigate your previous commands.

• Autocomplete: Press tab to autocomplete commands and file names.

• Redirection: Uses > to redirect the output of a command to a file, and | to send the output of one command to another as input.

• Keyboard shortcuts: As Ctrl + C to stop a command and Ctrl + Z to suspend it.

Putting together your own terminal command playbook can take you from a simple user to a Linux expert. Remember, practice and curiosity are your best allies as you explore the vast world of the Linux terminal.

If you want to learn more about the power of the Linux terminal or have any questions, feel free to visit NelkoDev and, in case of doubts or questions, I am always available at NelkoDev Contact. Immerse yourself in the world of Linux and maximize your computing skills!