Linux Commands Handbook: Essential Commands for Beginners.md

Linux Commands Handbook: Essential Commands for Beginners

Linux commands are the backbone of working with the Linux operating system. Whether you're a developer, sysadmin, or just starting out, this handbook covers the most essential commands to help you navigate and manage Linux efficiently.

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1. Navigation Commands

Command	Description
pwd	Print the current working directory.
ls	List files and directories.
ls -l	List files in long format (detailed view).
ls -a	List all files, including hidden ones.
cd <directory>	Change to a specific directory.
cd ..	Move up one directory level.
cd ~	Navigate to the home directory.

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2. File Management Commands

Command	Description
touch <file>	Create an empty file.
mkdir <dir>	Create a new directory.
rm <file>	Remove a file.
rm -r <dir>	Remove a directory recursively.
cp <src> <dest>	Copy a file or directory.
mv <src> <dest>	Move or rename a file/directory.
cat <file>	Display the contents of a file.
nano <file>	Open a file in the Nano text editor.
chmod <perms>	Change file permissions (e.g., chmod 755).

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3. System Information Commands

Command	Description
uname -a	Display system information.
df -h	Show disk space usage in human-readable format.
free -h	Display memory usage.
top	Display real-time system processes.
ps aux	List all running processes.
whoami	Display the current user.

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4. Networking Commands

Command	Description
ping <host>	Check connectivity to a host.
ifconfig	Display network interface information.
ssh <user@host>	Connect to a remote server via SSH.
scp <file> <dest>	Securely copy files between hosts.
wget <url>	Download files from the web.
curl <url>	Transfer data from or to a server.

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5. Package Management Commands

Command	Description
sudo apt update	Update package list (Debian/Ubuntu).
sudo apt install <package>	Install a package (Debian/Ubuntu).
sudo apt remove <package>	Remove a package (Debian/Ubuntu).
sudo yum install <package>	Install a package (CentOS/RHEL).
sudo yum remove <package>	Remove a package (CentOS/RHEL).
sudo dnf install <package>	Install a package (Fedora).

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6. Miscellaneous Commands

Command	Description
grep <pattern>	Search for a pattern in files.
find <dir> -name <file>	Search for files in a directory.
tar -czvf <archive.tar.gz> <dir>	Create a compressed archive.
tar -xzvf <archive.tar.gz>	Extract a compressed archive.
history	View command history.
clear	Clear the terminal screen.

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7. Quick Tips

• Use man <command> to view the manual for any command.
• Use sudo to execute commands with superuser privileges.
• Use Ctrl+C to stop a running command.
• Use Ctrl+Z to pause a process.

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This handbook is a great starting point for anyone diving into Linux. Save it, share it, and let me know your favorite Linux commands in the comments! 🐧