30 Days of Linux : A Complete Guide For Beginners

Ever thought of learning the Linux Operating System? Why do software and network engineers love Linux? why Linux is different from others. Well, why don't you find yourself? In the next 30 days, you will learn Linux OS from scratch. Let's get started.

In the world of operating systems, Linux stands out as a powerful, versatile, and open-source solution that has revolutionized how we interact with computers. Linux is a strong platform to build, develop, and innovate—not only for an established IT professional but also for a beginner. It's a 30-day walk-through journey, understanding Linux step by step, from basic standard system commands to advanced system administration.

What is an Operating System?

The OS is software specifically designed to operate, control, and coordinate all the hardware and software resources available in the computer. It possesses a user interface for the management of tasks that can be done by end users—such as running applications, file management, and input/output management. The operating system, for example, is Windows, macOS, and Linux. The OS provides the foundation for ensuring that other programs, and especially different users, can effectively share the resources of a computer.

What is Linux?

Linux is a Unix-based, open-source operating system. Created by Linus Torvalds in 1991, Linux has grown to be a major force in the tech world: powering anything from smartphones and servers to supercomputers, including embedded systems. An open-source operating system is one whose source code is made available for viewing, modification, and distribution by anybody, hence, by implication, a collaborative and innovative community.

Why Linux?

• Open Source: Free to use and modify, promoting collaboration and innovations in the community.
• Security: Known for its robust security features and resistance to malware and viruses.
• Flexibility: It can be used for anything from a desktop to servers and also embedded systems.
• Performance: Efficient resource management, suitable for both high-performance computing and low-spec devices.
• Community Support: A very large, active community offering a lot of support and resources in terms of documentation and tools.

Over the next 30 days, you will delve into various aspects of Linux, starting from basic concepts to advanced topics, ensuring a solid foundation and practical skills.

Phase 1: Lay the Foundations (Days 1-12)

In the first phase of our 30-day Linux journey, we will set the base by understanding the fundamentals of Linux. You'll be introduced to what Linux is, its history, and the different distributions available. By the end of this phase, you will feel comfortable navigating the Linux environment, executing basic commands, and understanding the Linux file system.

Days 1-3: Introduction to Linux

• What is Linux?
• History of Linux
• Linux distributions (distros)
• Installing a Linux distribution (Ubuntu/Debian)

Days 4-6: Basic Linux Commands

• Navigating the file system (ls, cd, pwd)
• Managing files and directories (cp, mv, rm, mkdir, rmdir)
• Viewing file content (cat, more, less, head, tail)
• Basic text editing with nano or vim

Days 7-9: Understanding the Linux File System

• File system hierarchy
• Understanding file and directory permissions
• Using chmod, chown, and chgrp
• Symbolic links vs. hard links

Days 10-12: Basic System Operations

• Managing users and groups
• File and directory compression (tar, gzip, bzip2)
• Process management (ps, top, kill)
• Scheduling tasks with cron

Resources:

• Linux Basics Tutorial
• Command Line Crash Course

Phase 2: Intermediate Linux Skills (Days 13-24)

In this phase, we'll dive into intermediate Linux skills that are essential for day-to-day operations and system management. You will learn the basics of shell scripting to automate tasks, manage software packages, and understand fundamental networking concepts. By the end of this phase, you'll be well-equipped to handle more complex tasks in a Linux environment.

Days 13-15: Shell Scripting Basics

• Introduction to shell scripting
• Writing simple bash scripts
• Variables, loops, and conditionals in scripts

Days 16-18: Package Management

• Installing and managing software with apt-get and yum
• Using dpkg and rpm
• Understanding package dependencies

Days 19-21: Networking Basics

• Understanding IP addresses and subnetting
• Basic networking commands (ping, ifconfig, netstat)
• Configuring network interfaces

Days 22-24: Working with Text Files

• Using grep, sed, and awk
• Searching for text patterns
• Text processing and manipulation

Resources:

• Shell Scripting Tutorial
• Package Management Guide
• Networking Basics for Linux

Phase 3: Advanced Linux Skills (Days 25-30)

In the final phase, we will explore advanced Linux skills that are crucial for system administrators and advanced users. You'll learn how to secure your Linux system, monitor its performance, and set up a web server. This phase will prepare you for real-world applications and give you the confidence to manage and troubleshoot Linux systems effectively.

Days 25-27: System Security

• Securing your Linux system
• Setting up a firewall with iptables or ufw
• Using ssh for secure remote access

Days 28-30: Performance Monitoring and Web Server Setup

• Monitoring system performance (top, htop, vmstat)
• Setting up and configuring a web server (Apache or Nginx)
• Basic web server management and troubleshooting

If you wish to learn more about servers, cloud computing and devops and related thing you can checkout our course for the same.

Bonus Resources

• Online tutorials and documentation for specific distributions.
• Linux communities and forums for help and support.
• Books and online for in-depth learning.

Advantages of Linux

• Cost-effective: No costs for software licenses, which lower the overall cost of software.
• Stability and Reliability: Rarely requires rebooting and can easily last for years of continuous use.
• Compatibility: The hardware and software of this device support extensive compatibilities for all different environments.
• Privacy: Not collecting personal data provides greater privacy to the user.
• Friendly to Developers: With support for a large set of programming languages and technologies, provides the most powerful development tools and environments.

Use Cases of Linux

• Servers: It rules over the server market because of its stability, security, and scalability.
• Development: Developers like it because of its strong tools, possibilities for scripting, and the fact that it is open source.
• Embedded Systems: This system powers devices like routers, smart TVs, and Internet of Things devices because of the lightweight and customizable nature of the operating system.
• Cloud Computing: It has wide applicability in cloud environments due to its flexibility and efficiency, widely used particularly in AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
• Education: Widely used in institutions of learning for the teaching of computer science and programming.30 Days of Linux Plan

Conclusion

By the end of this 30-day journey, you will have a solid understanding of Linux and its capabilities. You'll be equipped with the knowledge and skills to leverage Linux for various applications, from personal use to professional development and system administration. Welcome to the world of Linux, where endless possibilities await!