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EN_Linux_Basics

somaz edited this page Mar 30, 2026 · 1 revision

Linux Basics

1. What is Linux?

Linux is an operating system developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991. It is based on the Unix operating system and can be considered a Unix clone.

Like Unix, Linux is a network operating system supporting multiple users, multitasking, and multithreading. It is optimized for server operation, reflecting its initial design for communication networks.

Additionally, Linux is under a free software license, allowing anyone to use, modify, and redistribute its source code. This encourages continuous improvements and upgrades.

Key Components of Linux:

  • Kernel
    • The core part of Linux, responsible for managing system resources and facilitating communication between hardware and software.
  • Shell
    • A command-line interface for interacting with the operating system.
  • File System
    • Organizes how data is stored and retrieved. Linux uses a hierarchical directory structure starting from the root (/).
  • Processes
    • Each instance of a running program.
  • User and Group Management
    • Linux is a multi-user system, allowing multiple users to share resources and access the system simultaneously.

2. RedHat vs Debian (System)

Feature Red Hat Debian
Package Manager yum / dnf apt
Package Format RPM DEB
Release Cycle Fixed with RHEL; rolling with Fedora Stable release cycle with Testing & Unstable branches
Default Init System systemd systemd (since Debian 8 Jessie)
Supported Architectures Wide range, including IBM Z and Power Wide range, with focus on i386 and amd64
Security Updates Provided by Red Hat with subscription Provided by the Debian Security Team
Commercial Support Available from Red Hat Available through third parties
Community Fedora for community-driven innovation Debian is entirely community-driven
Enterprise Focus Strong with Red Hat Enterprise Linux Available via Debian stable

3. RedHat vs Debian (Commands and Package Management)

Action Debian (using APT) Red Hat (using YUM/DNF)
Install a package sudo apt install package_name sudo yum install package_name or sudo dnf install package_name
Remove a package sudo apt remove package_name sudo yum remove package_name or sudo dnf remove package_name
Search for a package apt search package_name yum search package_name or dnf search package_name
Update package index sudo apt update sudo yum check-update or sudo dnf check-update
Upgrade packages sudo apt upgrade sudo yum update or sudo dnf upgrade
Add a repository sudo add-apt-repository 'deb [options] url distribution component' sudo yum-config-manager --add-repo repository_url or sudo dnf config-manager --add-repo repository_url
Remove a repository sudo add-apt-repository --remove 'deb [options] url distribution component' sudo yum-config-manager --remove-repo repository_url or sudo dnf config-manager --remove-repo repository_url
List installed packages apt list --installed yum list installed or dnf list installed
Find out what package provides a file apt-file search filename yum provides filename or dnf provides filename
Automatic removal of unused packages sudo apt autoremove sudo yum autoremove or sudo dnf autoremove
View package information apt show package_name yum info package_name or dnf info package_name
Clean up package cache sudo apt clean sudo yum clean all or sudo dnf clean all
Verify Corrupted Dependencies sudo apt check sudo yum check or sudo dnf check

Reference

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