Linux Fundamentals
• 1st Course in Linux Foundations Specialization
© LearnQuest 2015
2021
Linux Operating System
Welcome to Linux Operating System, the first course of the Linux
Fundamentals specialization. By enrolling in this course, you are
taking the first step to kick start your career in information technology.
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Learning Objectives
Linux Operating System
Upon completion of this module, learners will be able to:
• List Several Linux Distributions
• Describe Linux Services
• View, Create, Copy, Move and Remove Files
• Search and Analyze Text
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Lesson 1 In this lesson we look at how the
Linux Operating System started
History of Linux and became popular
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What is Linux?
Linux is a family of open-source Unix-like operating systems
based on the Linux kernel by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically
packaged in a Linux distribution.
• Linux was originally developed • Linux-based Android on
for personal computers based smartphones
on the Intel x86 architecture • Chromebook runs the Linux
• Ported to more platforms than kernel-based Chrome OS
any other operating system • Linux also runs on embedded
systems
• 90% of all cloud infrastructure is
powered by Linux
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Embedded Systems
• routers
• automation controls
• smart home technology
• televisions
• automobiles
• digital video recorders
• video game consoles
• smartwatches
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How is Linux
Different?
Linux has many advantages
over other operating
systems including:
• Open Source
• Community Support
• Support for Older Hardware
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Linux Precursors
The Unix operating system was
conceived and implemented in
1969, at AT&T's Bell Labs
AT&T was required to license the
Unix operating system's source
code to anyone who asked
In 1984, AT&T divested itself of Bell
Labs - Bell Labs began selling
Unix as a proprietary product
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GNU Project
• Goal of creating a "complete Unix-compatible software system"
composed entirely of free software
• In 1985, Richard Stallman started the Free Software Foundation
• In 1989, Stallman wrote the GNU General Public License (GNU GPL)
• By the early 1990s, many of the programs required in an operating
system were completed:
• Libraries
• Compilers
• Text editors
• Command-line shell
• Windowing system
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MINIX
• In 1987, MINIX was created by Andrew S.
Tanenbaum
• A minimal Unix-like operating system
targeted at students and others who
wanted to learn operating system
principles.
• The complete source code of MINIX was
freely available but the licensing terms
prevented it from being free software
• Today, MINIX 3 is a free, open-source,
operating system
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Linus Torvalds
In 1991, while attending the University of
Helsinki, Torvalds became curious about
operating systems
Worked on his own operating system
kernel, which eventually became the
Linux kernel.
Originally developed for Minix and Minix
Tools
Switched license to GNU GPL and tools to
GNU Tools
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Lesson 1
Review Unix was owned and licensed by
Bell Labs
FSF created GNU tools as part of
GNU Project
Linus Torvalds created Linux Kernel
and used the GNU Tools
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Lesson 2 In this lesson we the open-source
licensing model used by Linux and
Linux Licensing Model
how it has led to its success.
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GNU GPL
• GPL Stands for General Public License
• Linux Kernel and code from GNU
Project is licensed under GNU GPL
• Freely copy, change, and distribute it
• You may not impose any restrictions
on further distribution
• Must make the source code
available.
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How do Companies Make Money on Linux?
Consultants
Some Distributions
charge for
Charge for a
installation and
Supported Release
customization
Cloud companies
do not distribute so
do not need to
share source code
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Competing With Microsoft
Many commercial companies gave
up their own OS work and embraced
Linux to compete with Windows
• IBM
• Hewlett-Packard
• Dell
Lesson 2
Review Open source does not mean you
cannot charge for Linux
If you give someone your changed
Linux executable you have to give
the source code
Everyone has the right to change
and add to Linux
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Lesson 3 In this lesson we look at some of
Linux Distributions the major Linux distributions
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Red Hat Enterprise Linux
Developed by Red
Abbreviated to Hat for the Price include
RHEL commercial Support
market
Server versions for
Initial Release - Today, Red Hat is a
x86-64, Power,
February 22, 2000 subsidiary of IBM
ARM64, and IBM Z
Designed to be CentOS is a
Desktop version for stable and with redistribution with
x86-64 long-term support RedHat IP stripped
for enterprise users out
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Fedora Linux
Linux distribution
developed by the
Sponsored primarily Initial Release -
community-
by Red Hat November 6, 2003
supported Fedora
Project
Focuses on
innovation by
Over 30 Releases
integrating new
technologies early
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SUSE
German-based multinational open-source software
company
Distributes Several Linux Products Including:
• SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES)
• openSUSE
• SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop
Initial Release – September 2, 1992
Owned by Novell from 2003-2011
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Ubuntu
Based on Debian Free to Download Paid Support Available
Long Term Support (LTS)
Three editions: Desktop,
releases are supported
Server, and Core for
for five years, and are
Internet of things
released every two
devices and robots.
years
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Lesson 3
Review There are hundreds of Linux
Distributions out there
Some require money to download
others are free to download
All are open source, but they may
include content that is not open
source
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Lesson 4 In this lesson we look at the Linux
Linux Command Line command line
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Linux Command Line
Linux Desktop has A Shell provides
a GUI but most you with an
installations use the interface to the
Command Line Unix system.
Bourne shell − the $
character is the
default prompt.
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Common Commands (part I)
• pwd – returns the path of the current
working directory
• cd – change directory
• cd .. (with two dots) to move one directory up
• cd to go straight to the home folder
• cd- (with a hyphen) to move to your previous
directory
• ls - view the contents of a directory
• ls -R will list all the files in the sub-directories as well
• ls -a will show the hidden files
• ls -al will list the files and directories with detailed
information like the permissions, size, owner, etc.
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Common Commands (part II)
• cat – list the contents of a file on the
standard output
• cat > filename creates a new file
• cat filename1 filename2>filename3 joins two
files and stores the output of them in a new file
• cp – copy files
• mv – move or rename files
• mkdir – create a new directory in the
current directory
• rm – remove file and directories
• rm –r to remove directory and all files inside
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Lesson 4
Review The pwd command will show the
current directory
The ls command will list the
contents of a directory
The cat command will list the
contents of a file
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