Hey guys, I'm actually experienced in computer and especially open source operating systems like Linux and Android. I'm excited to have discovered this community, I'll be sharing about my journey in understanding the Linux world here.
Now, I have been involved in the whole Linux world for some time now and believe me, it has been a remarkable adventure.
I wanted to take you through my journey so far and what I have learned about coding and understanding Linux.
Just trust me; if I can do it, anyone else on earth can!
Firstly, let us talk about the Linux file system. It’s like how your room looks when it is cleaned up but on your computer. Such directories cover different things such as documents, images or programs.
Every single folder or file however contains its own set of guidelines known as permissions. Just think of passing off keys to restricted rooms – certain files you can unlock while others remain locked.
Now, speaking of scripting; at first, I was somewhat scared by this one but then again it is just like creating a recipe book or giving instructions using an algorithm.
You might need a special Bash language which would help automate tasks such as instructing the computer stepwise what to do next. Once you get used to it, it feels quite good actually.
When I first heard about the idea of managing processes, it appeared so glamorous to me.
However, it’s simply multitasking on your computer say like several programs running at once which you can check or even close.
Package management was a game-changer for me. It’s almost like having a personal aide who can get and install software for you. Do you need some new program?
Just talk with your package manager he’ll set you up with everything else. No more spending hours searching files on the web!
Talking about system administration, well, let’s just say that I didn’t imagine becoming a computer wizard but now I am one after all. Just ensure that your systems are in excellent conditions ,manage users, keep watch of memory and make sure things are safe.
This is same as captaining your own digital ship.
It was a bit like peeling back the curtain and seeing how everything works behind the scenes when I started learning about the Linux kernel and device drivers.
The heart of the operating system is known as the kernel while device drivers are like translators, helping different parts of your computer communicate with each other. It’s amazing.
Another area that looked scary at first was networking but it is pretty straight forward if you break it down. It’s like setting up a network of roads for your data to travel on.
To ensure that everything gets to where it should, you will have to configure things like IP addresses and firewalls among others.
Git and other version control systems are a savior, at least when working on a project with others.
It’s like having time machine for your code: you can rewind it back and see every change taken place, even work together without any interference.
Text processors such as grep, sed or awk are the closest thing to a magic wand that I know of when dealing with text files. Need to locate certain words?
Want to change some words? These tools will do that for you; no letters from Hogwarts required.
Debugging and troubleshooting skills need to be in the arsenal of every programmer. This is not always possible but how to look for mistakes and fix it is half success.
I had a blast customizing the environment of my shell. It’s like decorating your room in order to make it more homey.
You could alter things like your prompt or create shortcuts that would make your life easier.
Python and other scripting languages can be used to automate tasks or build any tool you need. It’s just as if one had his own little helper whom he never gets bored with, but never sickens him with overtime demands.
For the Linux folks, security is a big issue. It is like locking your front door after dark to protect against intruders.
What you do here includes setting up permissions for users and firewalls that will keep the system secure.
Virtualization and containers are similar to having my own private sandbox. One can try new software out or set up isolated environments without messing with main system.
However, web development on Linux is a different kettle of fish altogether. Basically it’s like establishing your own mini-internet zone that comes with its own web servers, databases and frills.
Lastly, getting the right IDE or text editor for yourself is quite similar to finding the perfect pair of shoes. It depends on what suits you best. Whether you’re a Visual Studio Code person or a Vim loyalist; there is something in store for everyone.
So, there you have it friends, my journey to understanding Linux in a nutshell. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything else in this world.
If you’ve been contemplating about immersing yourself into the world of Linux, then let me tell you that my advice would be; just take the plunge and mess around with it.
You will be amazed by how much knowledge you gain when you are ready to soil your fingers.
