1. RH030 Linux Computing Essentials
Workbook 1 Quicktour
And more basic’s
RH030 Linux Computing Essentials

2. Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification, 2e
Objectives
Usage of some basic commands
Become familiar with UNIX command line structure
Become familiar with UNIX command line syntax
Understanding how the UNIX commands works with options and arguments.
Getting help with the man pages to learn about commands and their options.
Become familiar with displaying the contents of directories and files.
Running multiple commands on a single command -line
Use of the Redirection Symbols.
Workbook 1 covers
1. Logging In
2. The Kernel, Programs, and Processes
3. Examining the Filesystem
4. Running Commands
5. Managing Terminals
6. Getting Help
Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification, 2e

3. 2 Types of Unix/Linux users
Superuser # = There is only one system administrator
account, created during installation
They always log onto the system as root.
Regular User $ = These are created by the superuser
All accounts have a home directory.
The hierarchical filesystem starts from the top of the tree “ / ” which is called the “root” directory .
Immediately under which are the system directories.
2 of these are:
/root directory which is the home directory for the superuser /home directory which contains a separate home directory for each of the regular user accounts.

4. You have to Login to Linux
Multiuser environments require you to have a users account.
You can log in thru command-line interface or a GUI interface.
The Command-line interface is always available.
You need to install the GUI interface during installation to use it.
Login will also require a password.
Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification, 2e

5. Switching Between User Accounts
You can switch to another user’s account with the su (“Switch User”) command.
su [-] username
Once switched, you are subject to the same constraints as the user you are now logged in as.
The ‘-‘ puts you in the new user’s home directory and reads their profile or initialization files.
If no username is given, root is assumed.
The ‘-‘ can still be used (su - ).
exit
Type exit to log out as the new user.
Puts you back into your own account.
Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification, 2e

6. Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification, 2e
Changing Directories
~ Refers to your home directory
Refers to the current directory
Refers to the parent directory - 1 level up
pwd Displays your current location in the directory tree
cd Change the current directory in the directory tree
tab This is called Tab-completion:
It is used to automatically list items within the directory.
You just put the first letter of the item you want.
Then if you press the Tab key it fills in remaining characters of a unique filename or directory name or lists your options.
You can also use it to complete pathnames.
This is a feature of the BASH shell.
Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification, 2e

7. Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification, 2e
cd command
Used to navigate thru the Directory Tree Structure
Remember there are many ways to use this command.
cd moves you directly to your home directory
cd ~ also moves you directly to your home directory
cd moves you automatically up 1 directory level
cd <directory> - moves you down into the directory named
cd / moves you directly to the top of the tree structure.
cd this moves you up 1 directory level
cd ../ this moves you up 2 directory level
cd ../../ this moves you up 3 directory level & so on …..
Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification, 2e

8. Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification, 2e
Even after you login Linux still offers the user many choices for their Interfaces
1. Command-line using shell
There are multiple CL screens available for the use of the user.
You access them by using the Crtl+Alt+F key combinations to change to separate terminal screens.
2. Graphical Interface using Xwindows
You can start a GUI interface on any of these multiple screens .
You can access a GUI interface with the Crtl+Alt+F7 key combination
You can use the Crtl+Alt+Bkspace key to shutdown the GUI
You can have access to both GUI & CL interfaces.
Load the GUI by default and use terminal program for CL
Or load CL by default and switch to a GUI by typing startx
This will start a GUI environment on top of the shell
Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification, 2e

9. Using the Multiple Virtual Console Interfaces
You access the different interface screens by using the Crtl+Alt+F key combinations to change to the separate terminal screens.
Each screen acts as a completely separate environment.
You can be logged into them with different user accounts.
Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification, 2e

10. The Kernel controls all Virtual Consoles
Because each acts as a completely separate environment.
Each is allocated it’s own shell from the kernel.
Figure 3-27: Shells, terminals, and the kernel
Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification, 2e

11. Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification, 2e

12. Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification, 2e

13. Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification, 2e
ls Command
Gives a listing of the contents of a directory.
Syntax:
ls [-option(s)] [pathname(s)]
With no options you get a “brief /wide” listing.
Sorted alphabetically by default.
Options most commonly used.
ls –l
ls –a
ls –F
ls –r
ls –R
Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification, 2e

14. Displaying Hidden Files
Any file whose name begins with a ‘.’ is a hidden file in Unix.
Not shown with ls by default.
The links to ‘.’ and ‘..’ are hidden files.
To see hidden files in Unix, use ls –a to show “all” files.
Use ls –A to show all files except ‘.’ and ‘..’.
Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification, 2e

15. Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification, 2e
Displaying File Types
Use ls –F to get a “wide” listing with indicators as to the type of each file.
Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification, 2e

16. Displaying a Detailed/ Long Listing
ls –l
This gives a “detailed” listing of directory contents.
Shows all information relevant to item.
Sorted alphabetically by default.
Can use ls –lt to sort by time.
Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification, 2e

17. Listing Individual Directories and Subdirectories
Use ls –ld to find out information about a directory itself, not the contents of it.
You can use the “recursive” option with ls, ls –R to list a directory and all of its subdirectories.
Can produce a lot of output.
-r and –R are used with many Unix commands.
Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification, 2e

18. Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification, 2e
More Basic Commands
Table 3-3: Some Common Linux commands
Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification, 2e

19. User Commands for what other users are on the system.
who
gives detailed information on every user logged onto the system.
finger
gives the same info as who, but can give more detailed information on individual users. It also gives this info whether the user is logged onto the system or not.
Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification, 2e

20. Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification, 2e
Getting Help
Linux contains 1000,s commands
And many different text configuration files.
You can get help on all these – thru the “man pages”.
Which is the default command-line help program for Linux.
Available in all UNIX / Linux versions
At the command prompt, type “man” followed by the item which you want help on.
$ man <command name>
man whoami
man –k usb (need to run makewhatis once to use)
Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification, 2e

21. Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification, 2e
Getting Help
There are also other common types of help also available.
whatis
whereis
info pages
apropos
--help
help
PLUS
Excellent help on the Internet = HOWTO documents
Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification, 2e

22. Command Summary login passwd $ # su exit pwd date cd ~ . .. cat
ls ls –a ls -l
* ? > [ ] metacharacters
man man –k whatis info apropos help
crtl+alt+F?
shutdown
clear reset finger who w whoami id
Directory Navigation
To gain access to particular files, you have to be able to move through directories to find them. Here are a few useful commands which will allow you to do this :-
cd path Changes working directory to path. Allows you to change directory but only if you can see it in your directory listing. Example :
current directory is : /home/zoman ; type
$ cd thesis
new location is : /home/zoman/thesis
cd /path Changes working directory to /path. Allows you to change directory based on the given absolute path. Example :
$ cd /etc
new location is : /etc
cd / This will put you into the UNIX root directory. Example:
$ cd /
new location is : /
cd .. This will put you into the previous (parent) directory in the hierarchy. Example :
current directory is : /home/zoman/thesis ; type
$ cd ..
new location is : /home/zoman
cd This will put you into your personal home directory. Example:
current directory is : / ; type
$ cd

23. Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification, 2e
remote - telnet ssh putty
bash csh ksh bourne ps aux
ls cat > ~ ps who
--help -h -? which
ls -s --size -w -r --width=40
control sequences ctrl+c … etc
cal tab cat wc
ttyn ttySn ptsn :0
ls -R fg
man man -k -a info pinfo
/usr/share/<filename>
.filename = hidden
Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification, 2e