Master the Terminal

Click, click, click. Dump the GUI, embrace the dark side of Linux and discover the true power of the command line.

Despite the leaps and bounds that Linux desktops environments have made over the years, there are still moments when accomplishing a task requires you to fire up a terminal. Since none of the other mainstream operating systems rely on the Command Line Interface (CLI) in the same way as Linux, it’s often quite intimidating for new users. Fear of the CLI is simply not acceptable to anyone at LXF towers.

The command line is a powerful portal to some amazing tools that makes it possible to accomplish tasks much more quickly than you could with graphical tools. Whether you want to install software, configure your network or tweak other system settings, you can do it from the terminal. In fact, the graphical front-end applications use these command-line tools to get things done. Still, as you might have noticed, we often ask you to switch to the command line to complete a task. That’s because that while the graphical tools have made the CLI optional, most only expose a small subset of the features offered by their command-line equivalents. Since there’s no escaping the Linux CLI, it’s a good idea to embrace this mature and powerful interface and get familiar with its ways.

We’ve compiled a set of commands that you should be familiar with to work more efficiently with your Linux install. There’s obviously a learning curve to using the terminal to compose your own commands and over the next few pages we’ll handhold you through the CLI and help you realise the true potential of this interface. Once you get comfortable, you’ll notice its speed and efficiency for common admin tasks. The skills you learn over the next few pages will also elevate your Linux competence and help you join the ranks of experienced campaigners.

“while the graphical tools have made the CLI optional, most only expose a small subset.”