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Linuxadvanced Level 30 min read Afzaal Suleman

What is Linux?

Linux is an open-source operating system kernel that acts as a bridge between software and computer hardware.

Linux Study Chapter · Official Reference

What is a Linux Distribution?
Linux Kernel (The core of the System that talk to hardware) + Large Collection of Software (Utilities, Tools, Libraries, Application and more) = Linux Distribution
Basically, a Linux distribution is a combination of the Linux kernel and a large collection of software that helps you operate and use a computer.
What Does the Linux Kernel Do?
At the very core, the Linux kernel manages the interactions between your software and the hardware.
CPU Scheduling: Decides which program gets CPU time and when.
Memory Management: Manages how the available RAM is allocated to the different programs.
Storage Management: Keep track of how much storage is available on your SSd/HDD.
File Management: Knows what files exist, how to list them how to access them.
Program Execution: Loads a program in memory, sets up what it needs and runs in properly.
System Coordination: coordinates and manages all these tasks smoothly in the background.
Why should you Learn Linux?
Linux is one of the most important operating systems to learn if you want to work in software development, system administration, DevOps, cloud computing, cybersecurity, or servers.

  • Linux is widely used on servers: A large portion of web servers, cloud infrastructure, and backend systems run Linux.

  • Essential for DevOps and Cloud: Tools such as Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines, and many cloud services heavily rely on Linux.

  • Better understanding of how computers work: Linux gives you more control and helps you understand processes, memory, storage, networking, permissions, and system resources.

  • Important for Cybersecurity: Many security tools and platforms are built for Linux, and understanding Linux commands, permissions, processes, and networking is essential for security work.

  • Powerful Command Line: Linux provides a powerful terminal that allows you to perform tasks quickly using commands and scripts.

  • Automation: You can automate repetitive tasks using shell scripting and other tools.

  • Free and Open Source: Linux is open source, so you can use, modify, and study it without paying for the operating system.

  • Useful for Developers: Most programming languages, development tools, databases, and server environments work very well on Linux.

  • Industry Skill: Learning Linux is a valuable skill because many professional environments use Linux-based systems.

In simple words

Learn Linux because it gives you a better understanding and control of computers, servers, software, and infrastructure. It is especially important for developers, DevOps engineers, cloud engineers, system administrators, and cybersecurity professionals.

Short History of Linux

  • 1983: Richard Stallman started the GNU Project to create a free and open-source Unix-like operating system.

  • 1991: Linus Torvalds created the Linux kernel while he was a student at the University of Helsinki.

  • 1992: The Linux kernel was released under the GNU GPL, allowing people to freely use, modify, and distribute it.

  • 1990s: Linux distributions such as Debian, Red Hat, and Slackware became popular.

  • Today: Linux is widely used in servers, cloud computing, supercomputers, smartphones (Android), networking, DevOps, and cybersecurity.

In short:

Linux started as a kernel created by Linus Torvalds in 1991 and grew into a major open-source operating-system ecosystem.


How to Use Linux?

There are several ways to use Linux:

  1. Install Linux directly: Install a Linux distribution such as Ubuntu on your computer.

  2. Dual Boot: Install Linux alongside Windows and choose which operating system to start.

  3. Virtual Machine: Run Linux inside Windows using software such as VirtualBox or VMware.

  4. WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux): Run a Linux environment directly inside Windows.

  5. Cloud/Remote Server: Connect to a Linux server using SSH and use Linux remotely.

For learning Linux on Windows, I recommend starting with WSL + Ubuntu because you can practice Linux commands without replacing your Windows system.

What is WSL?

WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) is a feature of Windows that allows you to run a Linux environment directly inside Windows without needing to install Linux as a separate operating system or use a traditional virtual machine.

In simple words:

WSL lets you use Linux commands and tools on a Windows computer.

Why use WSL?

  • Run Linux distributions like Ubuntu on Windows.

  • Use the Linux terminal and commands.

  • Work with tools such as Git, SSH, Docker, Node.js, Python, PHP, etc.

  • Learn Linux without removing Windows.

  • Useful for web development, DevOps, cloud, and cybersecurity.

Example

On Windows, you can install Ubuntu through WSL and then run:

ls
cd
mkdir
sudo apt update

These are Linux commands, but you're running them from your Windows computer.

WSL ≠ Linux itself: WSL is the Windows feature that provides a Linux environment; Ubuntu is one Linux distribution you can run through WSL.

Steps to Use WSL

1. Install WSL

Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:

wsl --install

This installs WSL and, by default, installs a Linux distribution such as Ubuntu.

Restart your computer if Windows asks you to.

2. Check Available Linux Distributions

To see the Linux distributions available for installation:

wsl --list --online

You will see distributions such as:

NAME
Ubuntu
Debian
kali-linux
openSUSE-Tumbleweed

3. Select a Linux Distribution

For example, to install Ubuntu:

wsl --install -d Ubuntu

4. Start Linux

After installation, open Ubuntu from the Start Menu, or run:

wsl

The first time you start Ubuntu, you will create a Linux username and password.

5. Verify WSL

Check your installed distributions:

wsl --list --verbose

You should see something similar to:

NAME      STATE      VERSION
Ubuntu    Running    2

In short: wsl --install → wsl --list --online → choose a distribution → install it → open Linux → start using Linux commands.

6. Exit WSL

When you are finished using Linux, run:

exit

This will return you to Windows CMD or PowerShell.

7. Start WSL Again

To start WSL again, open CMD or PowerShell and run:

wsl

Start a Specific Linux Distribution

If you have multiple Linux distributions installed, first check them from Windows CMD or PowerShell:

wsl --list --verbose

For example:

NAME              STATE           VERSION
* docker-desktop  Running         2
  Ubuntu          Stopped         2

Here, both Docker Desktop and Ubuntu are installed. The * indicates the default distribution.

To start a specific distribution, use:

wsl -d Ubuntu

For example:

C:\Users\Admin>wsl -d Ubuntu

This will start Ubuntu instead of the default docker-desktop.

Important: wsl -d Ubuntu is a Windows command, so run it from CMD or PowerShell. If you are already inside Linux/WSL, the wsl command may not be available.

You can also open Ubuntu directly from the Windows Start Menu.
It means you can start Ubuntu without typing any command.

Example

  1. Click the Windows Start Menu.

  2. Search for Ubuntu.

  3. Click the Ubuntu application.

  4. A Linux terminal window will open.

  5. You are now inside Ubuntu/WSL and can run Linux commands such as:

ls
pwd
cd

So, these are two different ways to start Ubuntu:

From CMD/PowerShell:

wsl -d Ubuntu

From Start Menu:

Start → Search Ubuntu → Click Ubuntu

Both methods open the same Ubuntu environment.

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