Khashayar

Linux Workshop

This workshop aims to equip you with the best tool in the tech world!

Date: 2026-04-16
Author: Khashayar Khosrosourmi

url qrcode

What is Linux?

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, a kernel first released on 17 September 1991, by Linus Torvalds.

linus torvalds

Intel 80386-based IBM PC

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Usenet newsgroup called comp.os.minix

linus torvalds

Usenet is a decentralized messaging system where users post messages to newsgroups, which are topic-based discussion channels.

linus torvalds Richard stallman, GNU

linus torvalds

Why do we care?

Linux is everywhere behind the scenes.

Servers and Cloud

  • Most web servers run Linux (Apache, Nginx).
  • Big cloud platforms (AWS, Google Cloud, Azure) are mostly Linux-based.
  • It’s lightweight, fast, and stable for 24/7 uptime.

Open Source & Flexibility

  • Linux is free and open source.
  • You can modify it for anything: servers, embedded devices, IoT, networking, etc.
  • No vendor lock-in -> huge for startups and enterprises.

Programming & Development

  • Linux has powerful development tools out of the box (bash, gcc, python, git).
  • Many languages and frameworks run best on Linux.
  • Containers (Docker) and orchestration (Kubernetes) are mostly Linux-native.

Security & Reliability

  • Linux is considered more secure than Windows by default.
  • It’s less prone to viruses; easy to configure permissions and firewalls.
  • Stability makes it ideal for critical systems (banks, satellites, servers).

Embedded Systems & Devices

  • Android runs on the Linux kernel.
  • Smart TVs, routers, IoT devices often run Linux.
  • Learning Linux opens doors to hardware and low-level programming.

Community & Learning

  • Massive open-source community → tons of resources and libraries.
  • Skills learned on Linux transfer to cloud, devops, programming, security.

What is a Linux Distribution (distro)?

A Linux distribution, often abbreviated as distro, is an operating system that includes the Linux kernel for its kernel functionality.

linus torvalds

1. Debian-based

  • Debian – stable, secure, the base for many other distros.
  • Ubuntu – user-friendly, widely used for desktops and servers.
  • Linux Mint – beginner-friendly, based on Ubuntu.
  • Pop!_OS – focused on developers and gaming, based on Ubuntu.

2. Red Hat-based

  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) – commercial, enterprise-focused.
  • CentOS / Rocky Linux / AlmaLinux – community versions of RHEL.
  • Fedora – cutting-edge features, upstream for RHEL.

3. Arch-based

  • Arch Linux – rolling release, highly customizable, for advanced users.
  • Manjaro – user-friendly version of Arch, easier installation.

4. SUSE-based

  • openSUSE Leap – stable, enterprise-grade.
  • openSUSE Tumbleweed – rolling release, latest software.

5. Other notable distros

  • Gentoo – source-based, highly customizable.
  • Slackware – one of the oldest, very minimal and manual.
  • Kali Linux – penetration testing and security-focused.
  • Elementary OS – macOS-like design, beginner-friendly.

DistroWatch

DistroSea

mint mint mint mint

How to Install Linux

There are several ways to install Linux, depending on your needs and hardware setup.

1. Using a Bootable USB/DVD

  • Download the ISO image of your chosen Linux distribution.
  • Create a bootable USB or DVD using tools like Rufus, Etcher, or UNetbootin.
  • Boot your computer from the USB/DVD and follow the installation wizard.

2. Dual Boot with Another OS

  • Install Linux alongside an existing OS (like Windows or macOS).
  • During installation, choose the option to install Linux alongside the existing OS.
  • You will get a boot menu (GRUB) to choose the OS at startup.

3. Virtual Machine

  • Install Linux inside a virtual machine on top of your current OS.
  • Use software like VirtualBox, VMware, or QEMU.
  • Ideal for testing or learning Linux without affecting your main OS.

4. WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux)

  • Available for Windows 10/11.
  • Enables running Linux natively on Windows without a VM.
  • Install via the Microsoft Store or wsl --install command.

Install WSL with one command

wsl --install

Get a list of available linux distros

wsl.exe --list --online

Specify a distro to install

wsl.exe --install [Distro]

5. Using a Live Environment

  • Boot from a live USB/DVD without installing.
  • Test Linux features and performance before doing a full installation.
  • Some live environments allow installing Linux from within the live session.

6. Containerized Linux

  • Run Linux in a container using Docker or Podman.
  • Not a full OS install, but useful for isolated Linux environments on top of another OS.

Linux Terminal

The Linux terminal is a text-based interface that allows users to control and perform operations on a Linux computer by typing commands. It is a powerful tool for executing various tasks efficiently, often preferred by developers and advanced users.

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user@hostname(machine name)

~ -> current directory

$ -> prompt symbol

Linux File System

The Linux filesystem is a hierarchical structure starting from the root directory (/) that organizes all files and directories in a tree-like format. It follows the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (FHS), which defines key directories like /bin (essential commands), /etc (configuration files), and /home (user directories).

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Webterm.app

Navigating the File System

  • pwd Show current directory (Print Working Directory)

  • ls List files and directories

  • ls -l Detailed list (permissions, size, date)

  • ls -a Show hidden files

  • ls -la Detailed list including hidden files

  • ls -lh Human readable format.

File Type + Permissions

First letter:

  • d = directory
  • - = file
  • l = symlink
rwx r-x r-x
│   │   │
│   │   └── others
│   └────── group
└────────── owner

Changing Directories

  • cd /path/to/directory Go to a specific directory

  • cd .. Go up one directory

  • cd ../.. Go up two directories

  • cd Go to home directory

  • cd ~ Go to home directory

  • cd - Go to previous directory

Absolute vs Relative Paths

  • Absolute path example: /home/user/Documents

  • Relative path example: Documents/project

Viewing Directory Contents

  • tree Show directory structure (may need install)

  • ls /path List contents of a specific directory

Useful Shortcuts

  • . → Current directory
  • .. → Parent directory
  • ~ → Home directory
  • / → Root directory

Tab Autocomplete

  • Press Tab to auto-complete file/folder names

Tips

  • Use arrow keys ↑ ↓ to navigate command history

  • Combine commands: cd folder && ls

  • alias ll='ls -al'

    unalias ll

Linux File Operations Commands

Creating Files

touch file.txt Create an empty file

echo "text" > file.txt Create or overwrite file with text

echo "text" >> file.txt Append text to file

Viewing Files

cat file.txt Print file content

less file.txt Scroll through file

more file.txt Basic viewer

head file.txt Show first 10 lines

head -n 20 file.txt Show first 20 lines

tail file.txt Show last 10 lines

tail -n 20 file.txt Show last 20 lines

tail -f file.txt Follow file in real time

Editing Files

nano file.txt Edit with nano

vim file.txt Edit with vim

Copying Files

cp file.txt copy.txt Copy file

cp file.txt /path/to/destination/ Copy to directory

cp -r folder/ new_folder/ Copy directory recursively

Moving and Renaming

mv file.txt newname.txt Rename file

mv file.txt /path/to/destination/ Move file

Deleting Files

rm file.txt Delete file

rm -f file.txt Force delete

rm -r folder/ Delete directory

rm -rf folder/ Force delete directory

Permissions

chmod +x file.sh Make executable

chmod 644 file.txt Set permissions

chown user:user file.txt Change owner

File Info

stat file.txt Detailed info

file file.txt Detect file type

Searching

find . -name "file.txt" Find by name

grep "text" file.txt Search inside file

grep -r "text" . Search recursively

Process Commands

Viewing Processes

ps aux List all processes

top Real-time process view

Searching Processes

ps aux | grep name Find a process

Managing Processes

kill PID Terminate process

kill -9 PID Force kill process

pkill name Kill by name

Background & Jobs

command & Run in background

jobs List jobs

fg %1 Foreground job

ssh

ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your_email@example.com"
ssh username@server_ip
ssh -i ~/.ssh/id_ed25519 username@server_ip

Symlinks

A symlink (symbolic link) in Linux is a special type of file that acts like a shortcut or pointer to another file or directory.

ln -s <target> <link_name>
ln -s /home/user/file.txt shortcut.txt
ln -s /var/www/html mysite