Linux: A Beginner's Guide to Linux Operating System

By George Gibson

Discover the Power of Linux with "Linux: A Beginner's Guide to Linux Operating System"

Dive into the world of open-source and freedom with our beginner's guide - "Linux: A Beginner's Guide to Linux Operating System". Whether you are a tech enthusiast, a budding programmer, or someone looking to explore alternative

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rivercat Books LLC
• Release date: Jul 3, 2023
• ISBN: 9781960748430

Book preview

Introduction

If you've spent any time at all in the realm of computer technology, you've almost certainly encountered the term Linux multiple times. You may have heard that Linux is open source and free to download, but that information does not adequately describe what Linux is. This book will provide you with a firm foundation for learning Linux, allowing you to better navigate the sea of knowledge available on the subject.

The Misconceptions about Linux

Linux is basically just an operating system. Operating system is probably a phrase that you use on a pretty regular basis, but most people don’t understand what an OS actually is.

All of the software and hardware on your computer is run through the OS. That is why, if you have an Android phone, you have to download Android apps, and if you have an iPhone, you have to download Apple apps. Different operating systems have different requirements for both their hardware and software, and you have to abide by these requirements for the programs on your computer to work. Most computers come with an OS already installed, enabling users to immediately begin accessing the information and capabilities of their computers. If you have an Apple computer or phone, a Mac OS will be pre-installed so that Mac software can be run on it. Most other computers come with a Windows OS pre-installed. They allow you to get started with your computer right away.

An OS is the interface that allows you to interact with the information on your computer. The earliest operating systems used a command line interface, which meant that users had to type out a code in order to access a program. The most common one was MS-DOS, which was released by Microsoft in 1981. Operating systems today use a graphics user interface, or GUI. This means that you can physically see, as images, the different applications and programs that you want to access. You just have to click on the icons, and they open up. Different operating systems use a different GUI, so switching from one OS to another can cause some confusion at first. The look and feel will be different and may take some getting used to.

Operating systems have to be continually updated in order to keep up with the ever-growing improvements of software and hardware. You may have experienced this frustration if you have tried to use the newest version of Microsoft Word (or any other program) and found that it is incompatible with your computer. The problem isn’t that your computer has malfunctioned, but that your operating system isn’t advanced enough to handle the latest version of the software. You will need to either update your OS or use an older version of the program that you are trying to access. Updating an OS can take up a lot of memory, so having an up-to-date one may mean getting a computer that has more memory. If you are far enough behind, you may even have to choose between getting a new computer or working with an outdated OS.

Linux is an operating system (OS) that runs on computers. Generally, Linux is made up of three components: the kernel, the GNU user interface (GUI), and the application software. The kernel is a core part of the operating system that allocates resources and manages tasks. The GNU user interface is what the user sees on their monitor, and it controls what is displayed on the screen like menus, icons, and windows. Applications are software programs that perform various functions, such as word processing or web browsing. The Linux kernel and GNU user interface are two of the most important parts of the operating system; without them, Linux would not work.

The best way to learn about Linux is to download a copy and install it. There are many Linux distributions to choose from based on their intended use. You can get the distribution in Windows or in source code form, from the Internet. The kernel