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Linux Essentials - Second Edition

By : Christine Bresnahan, Richard Blum

Linux Essentials

By: Christine Bresnahan, Richard Blum

Overview of this book

Linux Essentials, Second Edition provides a solid foundation of knowledge for anyone considering a career in information technology, for anyone new to the Linux operating system, and for anyone who is preparing to sit for the Linux Essentials Exam. Through this engaging resource, you can access key information in a learning-by-doing style. Hands-on tutorials and end-of-chapter exercises and review questions lead you in both learning and applying new information—information that will help you achieve your goals! With the experience provided in this compelling reference, you can sit down for the Linux Essentials Exam with confidence. An open-source operating system, Linux is a UNIX-based platform that is freely updated by developers. The nature of its development means that Linux is a low-cost and secure alternative to other operating systems, and is used in many different IT environments. Passing the Linux Essentials Exam prepares you to apply your knowledge regarding this operating system within the workforce.

Free Chapter

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

What Is Linux?

What Is the Linux Essentials Certification?

Who Should Read This Book?

How This Book Is Organized

Conventions Used in This Book

CHAPTER 1: Selecting an Operating System

CHAPTER 1: Selecting an Operating System

What Is an OS?

Investigating User Interfaces

Where Does Linux Fit in the OS World?

What Is a Distribution?

CHAPTER 2: Understanding Software Licensing

CHAPTER 2: Understanding Software Licensing

Investigating Software Licenses

Looking at the Free Software Foundation

Looking at the Open Source Initiative

Looking at the Creative Commons

Using Open Source Licenses

CHAPTER 3: Investigating Linux’s Principles and Philosophy

CHAPTER 3: Investigating Linux’s Principles and Philosophy

Exploring Linux through the Ages

Using Open Source Software

Understanding OS Roles

CHAPTER 4: Using Common Linux Programs

CHAPTER 4: Using Common Linux Programs

Using a Linux Desktop Environment

Working with Productivity Software

Using Server Programs

Managing Programming Languages

Handling Software Packages

CHAPTER 5: Managing Hardware

CHAPTER 5: Managing Hardware

Learning about Your CPU

Identifying Motherboard Capabilities

Sizing Your Power Supply

Understanding Disk Issues

Managing Displays

Handling USB Devices

Managing Drivers

CHAPTER 6: Getting to Know the Command Line

CHAPTER 6: Getting to Know the Command Line

Starting a Command Line

Running Programs

Using Shell Features

Getting Help Using man Pages

Getting Help Using info Pages

Finding Additional Documentation

CHAPTER 7: Managing Files

CHAPTER 7: Managing Files

Understanding Where Things Go

Navigating Files and Directories

Manipulating Files

Manipulating Directories

CHAPTER 8: Searching, Extracting, and Archiving Data

CHAPTER 8: Searching, Extracting, and Archiving Data

Using Regular Expressions

Searching for and Extracting Data

Redirecting Input and Output

Archiving Data

CHAPTER 9: Exploring Processes and Process Data

CHAPTER 9: Exploring Processes and Process Data

Understanding Package Management

Understanding the Process Hierarchy

Identifying Running Processes

Using Log Files

CHAPTER 10: Editing Files

CHAPTER 10: Editing Files

Understanding the Role of Text Files

Choosing an Editor

Launching an Editor

Editing Files with pico or nano

Editing Files with vi

CHAPTER 11: Creating Scripts

CHAPTER 11: Creating Scripts

Beginning a Shell Script

Using Commands

Using Arguments

Using Variables

Using Conditional Expressions

Using Loops

Using Functions

Setting the Script’s Exit Value

CHAPTER 12: Understanding Basic Security

CHAPTER 12: Understanding Basic Security

Understanding Accounts

Using Account Tools

Working as root

CHAPTER 13: Creating Users and Groups

CHAPTER 13: Creating Users and Groups

Creating New Accounts

Modifying Accounts

Deleting Accounts

Managing Groups

CHAPTER 14: Setting Ownership and Permissions

CHAPTER 14: Setting Ownership and Permissions

Setting Ownership

Setting Permissions

Using Special Permission Bits and File Features

CHAPTER 15: Managing Network Connections

CHAPTER 15: Managing Network Connections

Understanding Network Features

Configuring a Network Connection

Testing Your Network Connection

Protecting Your System from the Bad Guys

EULA

EULA

APPENDIX A: Answers to Review Questions

APPENDIX A: Answers to Review Questions

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

APPENDIX B: LPI’s Certification Program

APPENDIX B: LPI’s Certification Program

The Linux Essentials Certification

Certification Objectives Map

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Setting the Script’s Exit Value

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Ordinarily, a script’s return value is the same as the last command the script called; that is, the script returns $?. You can control the exit value, however, or exit from the script at any point, by using the exit command. Used without any options, exit causes immediate termination of the script, with the usual exit value of $?. This can be useful in error handling or in aborting an ongoing operation for any reason—if the script detects an error or if the user selects an option to terminate, you can call exit to quit.

If you pass a numeric value between 0 and 255 to exit, the script terminates and returns the specified value as the script’s own exit value. You can use this feature to signal errors to other scripts that might call your own script. You may have to include extra code to keep track of the causes of abnormal termination, though. For instance, you might set aside a variable (say, $termcause) to hold the cause of...

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Tech Concepts

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Programming languages

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