# Introduction to basic Linux commands

## What happens when you start a computer?
When the computer is turned on, it first performs the power-on-self-test, also known as POST. If the POST is successful and no issues are found, the bootstrap loader will load the operating system for the computer into memory.

## Operating System:
An Operating System is an interface between a computer user and computer hardware. It is a software which performs all the basic tasks like:

- file management,
- memory management,
- process management,
- handling input and output

## Linux OS
First of all, Linux is not an OS. It's is a [kernel](https://www.redhat.com/en/topics/linux/what-is-the-linux-kernel). So, when we say Linux OS this means that the OS has Linux as it's kernel. 

## Why use Linux?
- Linux Is Free
- Open source
- Can Run in Almost Anywhere
- Developer Friendly

### Some of the famous Linux distros are:

- Fedora
- Ubuntu
- Arch Linux
- Debian

## Terminal (or Console)
It is basically a text input-output environment.

## Shell
The shell is the Linux command line interpreter. It provides an interface between the user and the kernel and executes programs called commands. 

### Shell format
![shell format.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1661267995703/jHFIgvJRS.png align="left")

## Meaning of some symbols:  
- ‘/’ → Root directory
- ‘.’ → means that it is your current directory.
- ‘..’ → means parent directory of your current directory
- ‘~’ → home directory
- ‘-’ → previous directory

## Linux commands studied so far
**1- pwd command :**
```
  SYNTAX : pwd

-stands for present working directory.
-shows the path where you are from the root directory

```

** 2- cd command :
**
```
SYNTAX : cd My_Directory

Navigates to / changes to the directory mentioned which in this case is My_Directory
```

- cd / → navigte to root directory
- cd .. → navigate to parent directory of your current directory

** 3- ls command :
**
```
SYNTAX : ls

Is command is used for listing files or directories
```

- ls -a’ → prints all files (including hidden ones)
- `ls -l’→ prints in long listing format
                

** 4- cp command :
**
```
SYNTAX : cp source file destination file

-cp is used to copy  files
-cp command is used to create a copy of the contents of the file or directory.
```


** 5- mv command :
** 
```
 SYNTAX : mv source file destination file

 mv command is used to move files or directories from its source to destination file or to rename a file. mv commands stands for move.
```
**  6- rm command :
**           
```
SYNTAX : rm filename

rm command is used to remove any file or directory you no longer need. rm command stands for remove.
```

**  7- mkdir command :
**
```
SYNTAX : mkdir new_directory

Creates a new directory. In this case, it created a new directory named new_directory
```
**  8- rmdir command :
**    
```
SYNTAX : rmdir directory name 

rmdir command allows you to remove directories you no longer need. rmdir command stands for remove directory.
```


** 9- clear command :
**
```
SYNTAX : clear

clear command is used to bring the command-line on the top of the terminal.
```
> These Top Linux commands are great to help you with the Linux learning environment. I've used some of them and find them helpful. I hope you liked the post, wish you luck in your upcoming learnings. If you have any queries feel free to contact me on
Twitter: [Jamelah_1420](https://twitter.com/Jamelah_1420)