Unit 1 Linux Basics

What is Open Source? Open source: software and source code available to all The freedom to distribute software and source code The ability to modify and create derived works Integrity of author's code The Free Software Foundation and the Four Freedoms

Linux Origins 1984: The GNU Project and the Free Software Foundation Creates open source version of UNIX utilities Creates the General Public License (GPL) Software license enforcing open source principles 1991: Linus Torvalds Creates open source, UNIX-like kernel, released under the GPL Ports some GNU utilities, solicits assistance online Today: Linux kernel + GNU utilities = complete, open source, UNIX-like operating system Packaged for targeted audiences as distributions

Red Hat Distributions Linux distributions are OSes based on the Linux kernel Red Hat Enterprise Linux Stable, thoroughly tested software Professional support services Centralized management tools for large networks The Fedora Project More, newer applications Community supported (no official Red Hat support) For personal systems

Linux principles Everything is a file (including hardware) Small, single-purpose programs Ability to chain programs together to perform complex tasks Avoid captive user interfaces Configuration data stored in text

Logging in to a Linux System Two types of login screens: virtual consoles (text- based) and graphical logins (called display managers) Login using login name and password Each user has a home directory for personal file storage

Switching between virtual consoles and the graphical environment A typical Linux system will run six virtual consoles and one graphical console Server systems often have only virtual consoles Desktops and workstations typically have both Switch among virtual consoles by typing: Ctrl- Alt-F[1-6] Access the graphical console by typing Ctrl-Alt- F7

Elements of the X Window System The X Window System is Linux's graphical subsystem Xorg is the particular version of the X Window System used by Red Hat Open source implementation of X Look and behavior largely controlled by the desktop environment Two desktop environments provided by Red Hat: GNOME: the default desktop environment KDE: an alternate desktop environment

Starting the X server On some systems, the X server starts automatically at boot time Otherwise, if systems come up in virtual consoles, users must start the X server manually The X server must be pre-configured by the system administrator Log into a virtual console and run startx The X server appears on Ctrl-Alt-F7

Changing Your Password Passwords control access to the system General guidelines for best security: Change the password the first time you log in Change it regularly thereafter Select a password that is hard to guess To change your password using GNOME, navigate to System->Preferences->About Me and then click Change Password. To change your password from a terminal: passwd

The root user The root user: a special administrative account Also called the superuser root has near complete control over the system...and a nearly unlimited capacity to damage it! Do not login as root unless necessary Normal (unprivileged) users' potential to do damage is more limited

Changing Identities su - creates new shell as root sudo command runs command as root Requires prior configuration by a system-administrator id shows information on the current user

Editing text files The nano editor Easy to learn, easy to use Not as feature-packed as some advanced editors Other editors: gedit, a simple graphical editor vim, an advanced, full feature editor gvim, a graphical version of the vim editor