How to learn Linux?
This is perhaps the most frequently asked question in our Facebook group for Linux users.
The answer to this simple "how to learn Linux" question is far from simple.
The problem is that different people have different Linux learning meanings.
If someone has never used Linux, either at the command line or desktop version, that person may simply ask themselves to find out more.
If someone uses Windows as a desktop but needs to use the Linux command line at work, that person may be interested in learning Linux commands.
If someone has used Linux for a few times and is familiar with the basics but may wish to move on to the next level.
If anyone is only interested in finding their way around a specific Linux distribution.
If anyone is trying to improve or learn Bash scripting which is almost synonymous with the Linux command line.
If someone is willing to make a career like Linux SysAdmin or if he is looking to improve his sysadmin skills.
See, the answer to "how do I learn Linux" depends on the type of Linux knowledge you are looking for. And for this purpose, I have collected a lot of resources that you could use to learn Linux.
These free resources include eBooks, video courses, websites, etc. And these are divided into sub-categories so you can easily find what you are looking for when trying to learn Linux.
Again, there is no better way to learn Linux. It is entirely up to you to decide how to learn Linux, through online web portals, downloaded eBooks, video courses, or something else.
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Let's see how you can learn Linux.
Terms: All the books listed here are legal to download. The sources mentioned here are the official sources, as far as I know. However, if you find it otherwise, please let us know so that I can take appropriate measures.
1. Free materials to learn Linux for absolute beginners
So maybe you've just heard of Linux from your friends or from an online discussion. You are intrigued by the hype about Linux and you are overwhelmed by the vast information available on the Internet, but you cannot understand exactly where to look for more information on Linux.
Do not worry. Most, if not all, of us, have been to your stage.
Introduction to Linux from the Linux Foundation [Video course]
If you have no idea what Linux is and you want to get started, I suggest you go ahead with the free video course provided by the Linux Foundation on EDX. Consider it an official organization course that "maintains" Linux. And yes, it is endorsed by Linus Torvalds, the father of Linux itself.
Introduction to Linux
Linux Travel [Online Portal]
Unofficial and perhaps not very popular. But this small website is the perfect place for non-sense Linux learning for beginners.
The website has been beautifully designed and is well organized by topic. It also has interactive quizzes that you can take after reading a section or chapter. My advice, bookmark this site:
Linux Journey
Learn Linux in 5 Days [eBook]
This brilliant eBook is available for free exclusively for It's FOSS readers thanks to the Linux Training Academy.
written with absolute beginners in mind, this free Linux eBook offers a quick overview of Linux, common Linux commands, and other things you need to learn to get started with Linux.
You can download the book from the following page:
Learn Linux in 5 Days
The Ultimate Linux Newbie Guide [eBook]
This is a free eBook download for Linux beginners. The electronic book begins with an explanation of what Linux is and then continues to provide more practical use of Linux as a desktop.
You can download the latest version of this eBook from the link below:
The Ultimate Linux Newbie Guide
2. Free Linux eBooks for beginners and advanced
This section lists those Linux eBooks that are "complete" in nature.
What I mean is that these are academic textbooks that focus on every aspect of Linux, much of it. You can read those as an absolute beginner or you can read them for a deeper understanding as an intermediate Linux user. You can also use them as a reference even if you are an expert level.
Introduction to Linux [eBook]
Introduction to Linux is a free eBook from The Linux Documentation Project and is one of the most popular free Linux books out there. Although I think some parts of this book need to be updated, it is still an excellent book for teaching you about Linux, its file system, the command line, networking, and other related things.
Introduction to Linux
Linux Basics [eBook]
This free eBook by Paul Cobbaut teaches you the history of Linux, installation and focuses on the basic Linux commands you should know. You can get the book from the link below:
Basics of Linux
Advanced Linux programming [eBook]
As the name suggests, this is for advanced users who are or want to develop Linux software. These are sophisticated features such as multiprocessing, multi-threading, interprocess communication, and interaction with hardware devices.
Following the book will help you develop a faster, more reliable, and safer program that takes advantage of all the features of a GNU / Linux system.
Advanced Linux programming
Linux From Scratch [eBook]
If you think you know enough about Linux and are a pro, why not create your Linux distribution? Linux From Scratch (LFS) is a project that gives you step-by-step instructions for creating your own custom Linux system, entirely from source code.
Call it DIY Linux but this is a great way to take your Linux experience to the next level.
There are various sub-parts of this project, you can check it out on its website and download the books from there.
Linux From Scratch
3. Free eBooks for learning the Linux command line and shell scripting
The real power of Linux lies in the command line and if you want to conquer Linux, you must learn the Linux command line and shell scripting.
In fact, if you have to work on the Linux terminal for your work, having a good knowledge of the Linux command line will actually help you in your activities and perhaps also help you advance your career (since you will be more efficient).
In this section, we will see various free eBooks of Linux commands.
GNU / Linux Command Line Tools Summary [eBook]
This Linux Documentation Project eBook is a good starting point for the Linux command line and learning about Shell scripts.
GNU / Linux command-line tools summary
GNU Bash Reference Manual [eBook]
This is a free eBook from which to download GNU. As the name suggests, it deals with Bash Shell (if I can call it that). This book has over 175 pages and covers a variety of topics around the Linux command line in Bash.
You can get it from the link below:
Bash Reference Manual
The Linux command line [eBook]
This 500+ page of William Shotts' free eBook is the MUST HAVE for anyone seriously interested in learning the Linux command line.
Even if you think you know something about Linux, you will be amazed at how much this book still teaches you.
It covers things from beginners to advanced levels. I bet you will be a great Linux user after reading this book. Download it and always keep it with you.
The Linux command line
Bash Beginner's Guide [eBook]
If you want to get started with Bash scripting, this could be a good companion for you. The Linux Documentation Project is behind this eBook again and is the same author who wrote Introduction to Linux eBook (discussed earlier in this article).
Bash guide for beginners
Advanced Bash-Scripting Guide [eBook]
If you think you already know the basics of Bash scripting and want to take your skills to the next level, this is what you need. This book has over 900+ pages of various advanced commands and their examples.
Advanced Bash scripting guide
The AWK programming language [eBook]
It's not the cutest book here, but if you really need to dig deeper into your scripts, this old-yet-gold book might be useful.
The AWK programming language
Linux 101 Hacks [eBook]
This 270 eBook by The Geek Stuff teaches you the basics of Linux command lines with easy-to-follow practical examples. You can get the book from the link below:
Linux 101 Hacks
4. Free learning material specific for distribution
This section deals with material dedicated to a particular Linux distribution. What we have seen so far has been Linux in general, more focused on file systems, commands, and other basic things.
These books, on the other hand, can be called manuals or introductory guides for various Linux distributions. So if you are using a certain Linux distribution or planning to use it, you can refer to these resources. And yes, these books are more focused on the Linux desktop.
I would also like to add that most Linux distributions have their own wiki section or documentation which is often quite extensive. You can always refer to them when you are online.
Needless to say, this eBook is for Ubuntu users. It is an independent project that provides the Ubuntu manual in the form of a free eBook. It is updated for every version of Ubuntu.
The book is aptly called a manual because it is basically a composition of step-by-step instructions aimed at absolute beginners in Ubuntu. So, you can learn about the Unity desktop, how to get around it and find applications, etc.
It's a must if you've never used Ubuntu Unity because it helps you understand how to use Ubuntu for your daily use.
For Linux Mint: Just Tell Me Damnit! [EBook]
A basic eBook that focuses on Linux Mint. It shows you how to install Linux Mint in a virtual machine, how to find software, install updates, and customize the Linux Mint desktop.
You can download the eBook from the link below:
Just tell me Damnit!
Solus Linux Handbook [eBook]
Warning! This was the official Solus Linux manual but I can no longer find it mentioned on the Solus Project website. I don't know if it's outdated or not. But anyway, a little Solu Linux won't really hurt, will it?
Solus Linux User Guide
5. Free eBooks for SysAdmin
This section is dedicated to SysAdmins, the superheroes for developers. I have listed some free eBooks here for SysAdmin that will surely help anyone who is already a SysAdmin or an aspirant to be. I must add that you should also focus on essential Linux command lines as it will make your job easier.
Debian Administration Manual [eBook]
If you use Debian Linux for your servers, this is your bible. The book starts with the history, installation, package management, etc. And then move on to topics like LAMP, virtual machines, storage management, and other basic content for sysadmin.
The Debian administration manual
Advanced Linux System Administration [eBook]
This is an ideal book if you are preparing for LPI certification. The book deals directly with the essential topics for system administrators. So knowledge of the Linux command line is a prerequisite in this case.
Advanced Linux System Administration
Linux System Administration [eBook]
Another free eBook by Paul Cobbaut. The 370 pages for eBooks cover networking, disk management, user management, kernel management, library management, etc.
Linux system administration
Linux server [eBook]
Another eBook by Paul Cobbaut of Linux-training.be. This book covers web servers, MySQL, DHCP, DNS, Samba, and other file servers.
Linux server
Linux Networking [eBook]
Networking is a SysAdmin's bread and butter, and this book by Paul Cobbaut (again) is good reference material.
Linux Networking
Linux Storage [eBook]
This book by Paul Cobbaut (yes, once again) explains disk management in detail in Linux and introduces many other storage-related technologies.
Linux storage
Linux Security [eBook]
This is the latest Paul Cobbaut eBook on our list here. Security is one of the most important parts of a system administrator's job. This book focuses on file permissions, ACL, SELinux, users, and passwords, etc.
Linux security
Your favorite Linux learning material?
I know this is a good collection of free Linux eBooks. But this could always be improved.
If you have other resources that may be useful for learning Linux, share it with us. Please note to share only legal downloads so that I can update this article with your suggestions without any problems.
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