Christine Bresnahan is an Adjunct Professor at Ivy Tech Community College, where she teaches Linux certification and Python classes. She is the author of several books, including LPIC-1 Study Guide, Fifth edition and LPIC-2 Study Guide, Second edition.Richard Blum has worked as a system and network administrator for over 30 years. He is the author of several Linux books, including Linux Command Line and Shell Scripting Bible and Linux for Dummies, 9th edition, and is a popular online Linux instructor.

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• Introduction xixAssessment Test xxixChapter 1 Selecting an Operating System 1What is an OS? 2What is a Kernel? 2What Else Identifies an OS? 3Investigating User Interfaces 4Using a Text-Mode User Interface 5Using a Graphical User Interface 7Where Does Linux Fit in the OS World? 9Comparing Linux to Unix 9Comparing Linux to macOS 11Comparing Linux to Windows 12What is a Distribution? 14Creating a Complete Linux-Based OS 14A Summary of Common Linux Distributions 15Understanding Release Cycles 17Embedded Linux Systems 18Linux in the Cloud 19What is Cloud Computing? 19What Are the Cloud Services? 21Summary 23Exam Essentials 23Review Questions 25Chapter 2 Understanding Software Licensing 27Investigating Software Licenses 28Exploring Copyright Protection and Software 28Using Licenses to Modify Copyright Terms 30Looking at the Free Software Foundation 31Understanding the FSF Philosophy 31Examining Free Software and the GPL 32Looking at the Open Source Initiative 33Understanding the Open Source Philosophy 33Defining Open Source Software 35Looking at the Creative Commons 36Using Open Source Licenses 36Understanding Open Source Licenses 36Understanding Open Source Business Models 38Summary 39Exam Essentials 40Review Questions 41Chapter 3 Investigating Linux’s Principles and Philosophy 43Linux Through the Ages 44Understanding Linux’s Origins 44Seeing Today’s Linux World 47Using Open Source Software 47Understanding Basic Open Source Principles 47Linux as a Software Integrator 49Understanding OS Roles 50Looking At Embedded Computers 50Exploring Desktop and Laptop Computers 51Investigating Server Computers 52Summary 53Exam Essentials 53Review Questions 55Chapter 4 Using Common Linux Programs 57Using a Linux Desktop Environment 58Choosing a Desktop Environment 58Launching Programs 61Using a File Manager 63Working with Productivity Software 66Finding the Right Tool for the Job 66Using a Web Browser 67Using Email Clients 68Using Office Tools 68Using Multimedia Applications 69Using Linux for Cloud Computing 70Using Mobile Applications 71Using Server Programs 72Identifying Common Server Protocols and Programs 72Focusing on Web Servers 76Installing and Launching Servers 76Securing Servers 77Managing Programming Languages 78Choosing a Compiled vs. an Interpreted Language 78Identifying Common Programming Languages 79Handling Software Packages 81Understanding Software Packages 81Identifying Common Package Tools 81Summary 82Exam Essentials 83Review Questions 84Chapter 5 Getting to Know the Command Line 87Starting a Command Line 88Launching a Terminal 88Logging into a Text-Mode Console 91Running Programs 92Understanding Text-Mode Program Syntax 93Running Text-Mode Programs 94Running GUI Programs 95Running Programs in the Background 96Using Shell Features 97Using Command Completion 97Using Command History 98Getting Help Using Man Pages 99Understanding the Purpose of Man Pages 100Locating Man Pages by Section Number 100Searching for a Man Page 102Reading Man Pages 102Using less 104Getting Help Using Info Pages 106Understanding the Purpose of Info Pages 106Reading Info Pages 107Finding Additional Documentation 109Locating Program Documentation on Your Computer 109Locating Program Documentation Online 112Consulting Experts 112Summary 114Exam Essentials 114Review Questions 116Chapter 6 Managing Hardware 119Learning About Your CPU 120Understanding CPU Families 120Identifying Your CPU 123Identifying Motherboard Capabilities 123Sizing Your Power Supply 125Understanding Disk Issues 125Disk Interfaces 126Partitioning a Disk 127Understanding Filesystem Issues 130Using Removable and Optical Disks 133Managing Displays 134Understanding the Role of X 134Using Common Display Hardware 136Handling USB Devices 137Managing Drivers 138Understanding Types of Drivers 138Locating and Installing Drivers 139Summary 140Exam Essentials 140Review Questions 141Chapter 7 Managing Files 143Understanding Where Things Go 144User Files vs. System Files 144The Filesystem Hierarchy Standard 146Important Directories and Their Contents 147Exploring Files and Directories 149Obtaining File Listings 149Changing Directories 151Using Absolute and Relative File References 152Manipulating Files 154Creating Files 154Copying Files 155Moving and Renaming Files 157Using Links 157Deleting Files 159Using Wildcards 160Understanding Case Sensitivity 160Manipulating Directories 161Creating Directories 161Deleting Directories 162Managing Directories 163Summary 164Exam Essentials 164Review Questions 165Chapter 8 Searching, Extracting, and Archiving Data 167Using Regular Expressions 168Searching For and Extracting Data 170Using grep 170Using find 172Using wc 174Using cut 175Using sort 176Using cat 177Redirecting Input and Output 178Using Basic Redirection Operators 178Using Pipes 181Generating Command Lines 182Archiving Data 183Using tar 183Using Compression 187Using zip 188Summary 191Exam Essentials 191Review Questions 193Chapter 9 Exploring Processes and Process Data 195Understanding Package Management 196Linux Package Management Principles 196Understanding Package Systems 197Managing Red Hat Systems 199Managing Debian Systems 200Understanding the Process Hierarchy 202Identifying Running Processes 203Using ps to Identify Processes 203Using top to Identify Processes 205Measuring Memory Use 207Using Log Files 208Locating Log Files 209Producing More Verbose Log File Entries 210Examining the Kernel Ring Buffer 211Summary 211Exam Essentials 212Review Questions 213Chapter 10 Editing Files 215Understanding the Role of Text Files 216Choosing an Editor 218Editing Files with nano 219Using Text Editor Conventions 221Exploring Basic nano Text-Editing Procedures 221Saving Your Changes from nano 223Editing Files with vi 224Understanding vi Modes 224Exploring Basic vi Text-Editing Procedures 226Saving Your Changes from vi 229Summary 230Exam Essentials 230Review Questions 231Chapter 11 Creating Scripts 233Beginning a Shell Script 234Using Commands 235Using Arguments 237Using Variables 238Using Conditional Expressions 241Using Loops 243Using Functions 244Setting the Script’s Exit Value 245Summary 246Exam Essentials 246Review Questions 248Chapter 12 Understanding Basic Security 251Understanding Accounts 252Understanding Account Features 253Identifying Accounts 256Understanding Groups 258Using Account Tools 259Discovering Your Own Identity 260Learning Who’s Online 261Working as root 263Understanding User Types 263Acquiring root Privileges 264Using root Privileges Safely 266Summary 268Exam Essentials 268Review Questions 270Chapter 13 Creating Users and Groups 273Creating New Accounts 274Deciding on a Group Strategy 274Selecting a Good Password 275Creating Accounts Using GUI Tools 278Creating Accounts from the Shell 280Modifying Accounts 283Deciding When to Modify Accounts 283Checking for Logged-in Users 283Modifying Accounts Using GUI Tools 284Modifying Accounts from the Shell 286Deleting Accounts 289Avoiding Account Deletion Pitfalls 289Deleting Accounts Using GUI Tools 290Deleting Accounts from the Shell 291Managing Groups 291Managing Groups Using GUI Tools 291Managing Groups from the Shell 294Summary 295Exam Essentials 295Review Questions 297Chapter 14 Setting Ownership and Permissions 299Setting Ownership 300Understanding Ownership 300Setting Ownership in a File Manager 301Setting Ownership in a Shell 302Setting Permissions 304Understanding Permissions 304Setting Permissions in a File Manager 308Setting Permissions in a Shell 309Setting the umask 310Using Special Permission Bits and File Features 310Using Sticky Bits 311Using Special Execute Permissions 313Hiding Files from View 314Viewing Directories 315Summary 315Exam Essentials 315Review Questions 317Chapter 15 Managing Network Connections 319Configuring Network Features 320Graphical Tools 321Command-Line Tools 323Basic Network Troubleshooting 329Sending Test Packets 330Finding Host Information 331Advanced Network Troubleshooting 333The netstat Command 334Examining Sockets 337Summary 337Exam Essentials 338Review Questions 339Appendix A Answers to Review Questions 341Chapter 1: Selecting an Operating System 342Chapter 2: Understanding Software Licensing 343Chapter 3: Investigating Linux’s Principles and Philosophy 344Chapter 4: Using Common Linux Programs 346Chapter 5: Getting to Know the Command Line 347Chapter 6: Managing Hardware 348Chapter 7: Managing Files 349Chapter 8: Searching, Extracting, and Archiving Data 351Chapter 9: Exploring Processes and Process Data 352Chapter 10: Editing Files 353Chapter 11: Creating Scripts 354Chapter 12: Understanding Basic Security 356Chapter 13: Creating Users and Groups 357Chapter 14: Setting Ownership and Permissions 358Chapter 15: Managing Network Connections 359Appendix B Setting Up a Linux Environment 363Index 365

Christine Bresnahan is an Adjunct Professor at Ivy Tech Community College, where she teaches Linux certification and Python classes. She is the author of several books, including LPIC-1 Study Guide, Fifth edition and LPIC-2 Study Guide, Second edition.Richard Blum has worked as a system and network administrator for over 30 years. He is the author of several Linux books, including Linux Command Line and Shell Scripting Bible and Linux for Dummies, 9th edition, and is a popular online Linux instructor.

Select Guide Rating

• Introduction xixAssessment Test xxixChapter 1 Selecting an Operating System 1What is an OS? 2What is a Kernel? 2What Else Identifies an OS? 3Investigating User Interfaces 4Using a Text-Mode User Interface 5Using a Graphical User Interface 7Where Does Linux Fit in the OS World? 9Comparing Linux to Unix 9Comparing Linux to macOS 11Comparing Linux to Windows 12What is a Distribution? 14Creating a Complete Linux-Based OS 14A Summary of Common Linux Distributions 15Understanding Release Cycles 17Embedded Linux Systems 18Linux in the Cloud 19What is Cloud Computing? 19What Are the Cloud Services? 21Summary 23Exam Essentials 23Review Questions 25Chapter 2 Understanding Software Licensing 27Investigating Software Licenses 28Exploring Copyright Protection and Software 28Using Licenses to Modify Copyright Terms 30Looking at the Free Software Foundation 31Understanding the FSF Philosophy 31Examining Free Software and the GPL 32Looking at the Open Source Initiative 33Understanding the Open Source Philosophy 33Defining Open Source Software 35Looking at the Creative Commons 36Using Open Source Licenses 36Understanding Open Source Licenses 36Understanding Open Source Business Models 38Summary 39Exam Essentials 40Review Questions 41Chapter 3 Investigating Linux’s Principles and Philosophy 43Linux Through the Ages 44Understanding Linux’s Origins 44Seeing Today’s Linux World 47Using Open Source Software 47Understanding Basic Open Source Principles 47Linux as a Software Integrator 49Understanding OS Roles 50Looking At Embedded Computers 50Exploring Desktop and Laptop Computers 51Investigating Server Computers 52Summary 53Exam Essentials 53Review Questions 55Chapter 4 Using Common Linux Programs 57Using a Linux Desktop Environment 58Choosing a Desktop Environment 58Launching Programs 61Using a File Manager 63Working with Productivity Software 66Finding the Right Tool for the Job 66Using a Web Browser 67Using Email Clients 68Using Office Tools 68Using Multimedia Applications 69Using Linux for Cloud Computing 70Using Mobile Applications 71Using Server Programs 72Identifying Common Server Protocols and Programs 72Focusing on Web Servers 76Installing and Launching Servers 76Securing Servers 77Managing Programming Languages 78Choosing a Compiled vs. an Interpreted Language 78Identifying Common Programming Languages 79Handling Software Packages 81Understanding Software Packages 81Identifying Common Package Tools 81Summary 82Exam Essentials 83Review Questions 84Chapter 5 Getting to Know the Command Line 87Starting a Command Line 88Launching a Terminal 88Logging into a Text-Mode Console 91Running Programs 92Understanding Text-Mode Program Syntax 93Running Text-Mode Programs 94Running GUI Programs 95Running Programs in the Background 96Using Shell Features 97Using Command Completion 97Using Command History 98Getting Help Using Man Pages 99Understanding the Purpose of Man Pages 100Locating Man Pages by Section Number 100Searching for a Man Page 102Reading Man Pages 102Using less 104Getting Help Using Info Pages 106Understanding the Purpose of Info Pages 106Reading Info Pages 107Finding Additional Documentation 109Locating Program Documentation on Your Computer 109Locating Program Documentation Online 112Consulting Experts 112Summary 114Exam Essentials 114Review Questions 116Chapter 6 Managing Hardware 119Learning About Your CPU 120Understanding CPU Families 120Identifying Your CPU 123Identifying Motherboard Capabilities 123Sizing Your Power Supply 125Understanding Disk Issues 125Disk Interfaces 126Partitioning a Disk 127Understanding Filesystem Issues 130Using Removable and Optical Disks 133Managing Displays 134Understanding the Role of X 134Using Common Display Hardware 136Handling USB Devices 137Managing Drivers 138Understanding Types of Drivers 138Locating and Installing Drivers 139Summary 140Exam Essentials 140Review Questions 141Chapter 7 Managing Files 143Understanding Where Things Go 144User Files vs. System Files 144The Filesystem Hierarchy Standard 146Important Directories and Their Contents 147Exploring Files and Directories 149Obtaining File Listings 149Changing Directories 151Using Absolute and Relative File References 152Manipulating Files 154Creating Files 154Copying Files 155Moving and Renaming Files 157Using Links 157Deleting Files 159Using Wildcards 160Understanding Case Sensitivity 160Manipulating Directories 161Creating Directories 161Deleting Directories 162Managing Directories 163Summary 164Exam Essentials 164Review Questions 165Chapter 8 Searching, Extracting, and Archiving Data 167Using Regular Expressions 168Searching For and Extracting Data 170Using grep 170Using find 172Using wc 174Using cut 175Using sort 176Using cat 177Redirecting Input and Output 178Using Basic Redirection Operators 178Using Pipes 181Generating Command Lines 182Archiving Data 183Using tar 183Using Compression 187Using zip 188Summary 191Exam Essentials 191Review Questions 193Chapter 9 Exploring Processes and Process Data 195Understanding Package Management 196Linux Package Management Principles 196Understanding Package Systems 197Managing Red Hat Systems 199Managing Debian Systems 200Understanding the Process Hierarchy 202Identifying Running Processes 203Using ps to Identify Processes 203Using top to Identify Processes 205Measuring Memory Use 207Using Log Files 208Locating Log Files 209Producing More Verbose Log File Entries 210Examining the Kernel Ring Buffer 211Summary 211Exam Essentials 212Review Questions 213Chapter 10 Editing Files 215Understanding the Role of Text Files 216Choosing an Editor 218Editing Files with nano 219Using Text Editor Conventions 221Exploring Basic nano Text-Editing Procedures 221Saving Your Changes from nano 223Editing Files with vi 224Understanding vi Modes 224Exploring Basic vi Text-Editing Procedures 226Saving Your Changes from vi 229Summary 230Exam Essentials 230Review Questions 231Chapter 11 Creating Scripts 233Beginning a Shell Script 234Using Commands 235Using Arguments 237Using Variables 238Using Conditional Expressions 241Using Loops 243Using Functions 244Setting the Script’s Exit Value 245Summary 246Exam Essentials 246Review Questions 248Chapter 12 Understanding Basic Security 251Understanding Accounts 252Understanding Account Features 253Identifying Accounts 256Understanding Groups 258Using Account Tools 259Discovering Your Own Identity 260Learning Who’s Online 261Working as root 263Understanding User Types 263Acquiring root Privileges 264Using root Privileges Safely 266Summary 268Exam Essentials 268Review Questions 270Chapter 13 Creating Users and Groups 273Creating New Accounts 274Deciding on a Group Strategy 274Selecting a Good Password 275Creating Accounts Using GUI Tools 278Creating Accounts from the Shell 280Modifying Accounts 283Deciding When to Modify Accounts 283Checking for Logged-in Users 283Modifying Accounts Using GUI Tools 284Modifying Accounts from the Shell 286Deleting Accounts 289Avoiding Account Deletion Pitfalls 289Deleting Accounts Using GUI Tools 290Deleting Accounts from the Shell 291Managing Groups 291Managing Groups Using GUI Tools 291Managing Groups from the Shell 294Summary 295Exam Essentials 295Review Questions 297Chapter 14 Setting Ownership and Permissions 299Setting Ownership 300Understanding Ownership 300Setting Ownership in a File Manager 301Setting Ownership in a Shell 302Setting Permissions 304Understanding Permissions 304Setting Permissions in a File Manager 308Setting Permissions in a Shell 309Setting the umask 310Using Special Permission Bits and File Features 310Using Sticky Bits 311Using Special Execute Permissions 313Hiding Files from View 314Viewing Directories 315Summary 315Exam Essentials 315Review Questions 317Chapter 15 Managing Network Connections 319Configuring Network Features 320Graphical Tools 321Command-Line Tools 323Basic Network Troubleshooting 329Sending Test Packets 330Finding Host Information 331Advanced Network Troubleshooting 333The netstat Command 334Examining Sockets 337Summary 337Exam Essentials 338Review Questions 339Appendix A Answers to Review Questions 341Chapter 1: Selecting an Operating System 342Chapter 2: Understanding Software Licensing 343Chapter 3: Investigating Linux’s Principles and Philosophy 344Chapter 4: Using Common Linux Programs 346Chapter 5: Getting to Know the Command Line 347Chapter 6: Managing Hardware 348Chapter 7: Managing Files 349Chapter 8: Searching, Extracting, and Archiving Data 351Chapter 9: Exploring Processes and Process Data 352Chapter 10: Editing Files 353Chapter 11: Creating Scripts 354Chapter 12: Understanding Basic Security 356Chapter 13: Creating Users and Groups 357Chapter 14: Setting Ownership and Permissions 358Chapter 15: Managing Network Connections 359Appendix B Setting Up a Linux Environment 363Index 365