# Linux#1

### Introduction

This is a series where I record my journey of learning linux and i’ll be sharing what i learn through these blogs.

### Some pointers

* Linux was created by Linus Torvalds. The first version of the Linux kernel was released on September 17, 1991.
    
* It was made as a personal project, which turned into an open-source project known worldwide .
    
* **Android,** which has generated an estimated revenue of $31 billion with a profit of $22 billion since 2013 ([source](https://techjury.net/industry-analysis/android-market-share/)), is also built upon Linux kernel.
    
* There are many distros(distributions) available to use Linux, each has its own characteristics. Popular distros like Ubuntu and Linux Mint are beginner-friendly since they feel familiar to Windows users, making the transition easier.
    
* I am using Linux Mint with the Cinnamon desktop environment on dual boot while writing this blog.
    

### What got me into Linux?

There were many instances where i wanted to use Linux before too, but right around June 2024 i came across [**r/unixporn**](https://www.reddit.com/r/unixporn/) on reddit. I was mesmerised by the Linux ricing community.

**My first rice —**

![My first rice](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1758127094007/282ed16b-914d-4a8e-806a-c414a1d30cec.png align="right")

Ricing in Linux refers to the *process of customizing the visual appearance and functionality of a Linux desktop environment to create a unique, personalized setup*.

Another big influence was PewDiePie. When he posted the video *“I* [*Installed Linux (So Should You)*](https://youtu.be/pVI_smLgTY0?si=YP-8xO_eCE9844iQ)*”*, it pushed me over the edge. He explained many things I had been confused about, and I finally decided to install Linux myself.

### Installing Linux Mint

If you have decided to use linux mint as your distro ,you can visit their official website - [https://linuxmint.com/](https://linuxmint.com/) and download it from there.Then,flash Linux onto a USB drive .They also provide documentation with guided installation steps . Moreover, there are plenty of helpful YouTube videos for choosing and installing your preferred Linux distro.

**<mark>Note:- make sure you have all your data backed up, as the chances of losing it are high.You may need to format your disk if something goes wrong(which it does one way or other).</mark>**

It’s also wise to have a separate device with internet access for queries and guides during installation.

## Terminal Commands

Let us start with the simplest commands:

* `echo` → repeats whatever you type after it on the terminal screen.
    
* `date`→ shows the current day, time, date, month, and year.
    
* `cal`→ displays a calendar.
    
* `expr`→ evaluates mathematical expressions ( use spaces between numbers and operators).
    
* `figlet`→ creates ASCII art of the text you enter.
    
* `clear`→ just type clear and hit enter, it will clear the terminal screen.
    

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1758153355754/7b8063bb-70c9-4af6-a059-d3c4a66328c3.png align="center")

As you can see in the image, the terminal shows an error, command not found and we need to install ncal first. But what is `sudo` and `apt` in the command that it suggests we run? Let us dive deeper into this.

### Installation in Linux

From what i have learned,almost everything in Linux can be installed through terminal.You don’t need to manually download files from websites and run installers like in Windows. You just type a command on the terminal and the files are downloaded and installed in one go.

Turning back to our question, what is `sudo`?

`sudo` <mark>stands for Super User DO</mark>. which executes any command given after it with admin privileges. Thus, giving you total control over your system, even if you ask Linux to delete parts of itself which are essential for it to run so be careful and understand commands(How? read about the man command at the end of this blog) before executing unknown commands , your AI model will just say “oops, seems like i made a mistake” while you’ve corrupted your system and you are staring at your reflection on the black screen in front of you.That aside, sudo is used to run commands which require authority over the system.

**Advanced Package Tool** (<mark>APT</mark>) is a free-software user interface that works with core libraries to handle the installation and removal of software on Debian and Debian-based Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu and Debian itself. It simplifies software management by automating the retrieval, configuration, and installation of packages, either from precompiled files or by compiling source code. APT is a collection of tools distributed in a package named `apt`, which includes command-line programs like `apt`, `apt-get`, and `apt-cache`. The `apt` package is of "important" priority in all current Debian releases and is included in a default Debian installation.

Now we can understand what `sudo apt install ncal` means, it is asking apt to install ncal using super user authority.

We now know a useful command to install anything we want (mostly anything). Just type **sudo apt install (name of the package you want to install)** and it will get installed.When i say package, it includes apps, everything is served in form of packages so don’t get confused.Linux also has a GUI-based software manager, similar to the Microsoft Store. However, it has limited applications. If you install Flatpak (from the software manager itself), you gain access to many more applications. Still, since our goal is to improve our Linux skills, using the terminal as much as possible is the way to go.

Flatpak-It provides a sandbox environment in which users can run application software in (partial) isolation from the rest of the system.

Not every application is packaged for every Linux distribution. If an application isn’t packaged for a specific distribution, users are left with limited and unreliable options, often technical in nature.Hence, Flatpak is used for running applications which are not packaged for your Linux distribution.

**<mark>Note: The first time you use sudo in a terminal, it will ask for your login password.</mark>**

### man.

One last command i want to share in this introduction is man(manual page or user manual).As you can tell, there are countless Linux commands—you can’t possibly memorise them all(if you touch grass).Hence, you need a manual for every new command you encounter. That’s where man comes in handy, the light at the other end of the tunnel when you’re lost. Just man it by typing man followed by command name( you can even man man itself, so man will tell you what man command does.) thus, the command is **man &lt;command&gt;. example-** `man whoami` .whoami is a command which returns the name of the current user logged into the system. **While inside the user manual , press h for help and q to quit.** Pressing q will take you back to the terminal.

### Closing Thoughts

I hope it was interesting and easy to understand even for a total beginner.And if you’re not, I hope you still learned something new and useful. I think this is enough for introduction.Also, i intentionally left out the options part of the command as it may be overload of information, that will be covered in the next blog.