Linux Guide for DevOps Beginners

After the last blog, you might have realized how important it is for a DevOps engineer to have working knowledge of Linux, as most servers currently run on Linux. So, let's start with some basic information about it.

Folder Structure

Let's start with the basic folder structure of Linux. Here is the folder structure of Linux.

Image Credit: GeeksforGeeks

From the illustration above, you now have a foundational understanding of the Linux folder structure. Many Linux systems also include a /var directory, which houses logs in /var/log and cache files in /var/cache. Additionally, the /usr directory contains /bin and /local/bin directories. These were historically used as alternatives to /bin to address storage limitations, which are less of a concern today. However, they still exist and store command binaries. The /usr/local directory is used to store files for programs that have been installed. That's all you need to know about the basic folder structure.

Basic Linux Commands

Here are Basic Linux commands for file system management.

Command	Description
`ls`	Lists the contents of a directory. with parameters like -a u can also view hidden files.
`cd`	Changes the current directory. You can use it with relative path like ../ or absolute path like / from root.
`pwd`	Displays the current working directory path.
`mkdir`	Creates a new directory.
`rmdir`	Removes an empty directory.
`cp`	Copies files or directories.
`mv`	Moves or renames files or directories.
`rm`	Removes files or directories.
`touch`	Creates an empty file or updates the timestamp of an existing file.
`cat`	Concatenates and displays the content of files.
`sudo`	to run any command as super user i.e. root you need to add `sudo` at start of the command.

Package Manager

Imagine installing software without an installer. You would need to manually place each file in the correct folder, and if there are dependencies, you would have to install each one by placing them in system folders yourself. To make this easier, we have package managers like Apt, Apt-get, or Snap. These are all package managers, and different operating systems have different ones. They automatically install and place the required dependencies and software in the correct folders. Now, let's talk about repositories. Package managers have sources where they search for the necessary packages or software to find and install. But what if the software you need isn't in the current repository? You can add repositories to the sources list, which is usually located at /etc/apt/sources.list for the Apt package manager.

I hope this article helps you understand the basics of Linux. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.

Summary

This article covers the essential knowledge a DevOps engineer needs about Linux, focusing on its folder structure, basic file system management commands, and the role of package managers in software installation. Dive into the fundamental Linux directories and commands, essential for navigating and managing files, and explore how package managers like Apt and Snap simplify software installation and dependency management.

003 - Starting Your DevOps Journey: A Linux Guide

Table of contents

Folder Structure

Basic Linux Commands

Package Manager

Summary

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Hamza Iqbal

Hamza Iqbal