<a href="https://www.codecademy.com/resources/docs/open-source/linux">Linux</a> is an operating system you'll find powering all kinds of computers, from self-driving cars to servers and IoT devices — and it can also refer to operating systems based on Linux, like Ubuntu. It even forms the foundation of other popular operating systems like Android and Chrome OS.

How does Linux compare to MacOS and Windows?

Every operating system has its pros and cons. Unlike Windows and MacOS, Linux is open source, so it's free for anyone to use. It's also known for its security and stability, while Windows and MacOS can be more intuitive and user-friendly.

What kind of jobs use Linux?

Network Engineers, Systems and Database Administrators, Cybersecurity Analysts, and any other professionals who work closely with operating systems need to be familiar with Linux. And while it's not required, Linux skills can be helpful for aspiring Web Developers.

What else should I study if I am learning Linux?

If you want to learn more about Linux, try learning how to use the Command Line and Bash scripting. And if youre interested in learning how computers work in general, try our free Intro to IT and Fundamentals of Operating Systems courses.

Course

Introduction to Linux

In this introductory course, we’ll be getting familiar with Linux and how to navigate within a Linux environment!

This course includes

24,387 learners enrolled

This course includes

Skill level
Intermediate
Time to complete
Average based on combined completion rates — individual pacing in lessons, projects, and quizzes may vary

4 hours
Projects
1
Prerequisites
None

About this course

In this introductory course on Linux, we’ll be learning about what Linux is exactly. We’ll learn about its history and different versions of Linux.

We’ll teach you how to set up Linux Ubuntu on your computer, and guide you through exploring the pre-installed apps, how to install apps, the Linux file system, and the role of server applications.

No introduction to Linux is complete without teaching the Linux shell, aka Bash! You will learn how to use text commands to navigate through a file system, view and change files,

You’ll learn how to use Bash commands and write Bash scripts that allow you to automate tasks and power up what we can do in Linux.

We’ll also show you how to define Linux users and how to set permissions for files.

There are plenty of lessons, quizzes, and projects ahead, so let’s get started!

Syllabus

7 lessons • 1 project • 6 quizzes

Certificate of completion available with Plus or Pro
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The platform

Hands-on learning

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Explore features

Projects in this course

practice Project
Build a Build Script
Practice using bash scripts by creating a build script.

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