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Unit 2 · Basic Commands · Lesson 7 of 34

Command me!

Life Without Buttons

Something that you will notice is that there aren't many buttons on Linux.

Most Linux servers, unlike Windows or MacOS, are only composed of a terminal. This is where the user directly interacts with the system and engages via commands. (Technically, you're typing into a program called the shell, which hands your commands off to the kernel.)

This being said, having solidified knowledge on how to use the terminal is essential to Linux fluency. We'll teach you the basic commands that'll get you started, but expect that as you grow more advanced, you may encounter times when you need to explore on your own.

Let's start small: whoami prints out the name of the user you're logged in as.

Live Linux terminal

This lesson comes with a real Ubuntu machine that runs in your browser, so you type every command yourself. Create a free account to do this part.

Do this lesson for real

With a free account you get the terminal, the challenges and the checks that go with every lesson in Intro to Linux, and your progress is saved as you go. CyberAcad is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so there is nothing to pay.