Start Your Linux Command-Line Friendship

A few years ago, I created a simple Vagrant setup to introduce beginners to the power and joy of the Linux command-line. If you're new to the command-line, this setup provides a structured way to explore and experiment with some useful tools.

You can find the setup here:

GitHub Repository: Command-Line Tools Buzz Session

This guide is intended for absolute beginners. If you're already a command-line wizard, feel free to move along-nothing new to see here. But if you're just getting started, these tools can help you build a solid foundation.

Tools Introduced

Below is a list of essential command-line tools covered in this session, along with a brief explanation of their functionality.

• locate - Quickly find files on your system by name using a pre-built index.
• ncdu - A command-line tool for visualizing file system usage with navigable output.
• tree - Displays directory structures in a hierarchical format.
• pstree - Shows processes running on the system in a tree-like format.
• nmap - A powerful network scanner used to discover hosts and services on a network.
• lsof - Lists open files and the processes that are using them, including network ports.
• mc - Midnight Commander, a text-based file manager for the command-line.
• who - Shows who is currently logged into the system.
• w - Displays logged-in users along with their current activities.
• write - Sends messages to other users logged into the system.
• watch - Runs a command repeatedly at a set interval and displays the output.
• find - Searches for files and directories based on name, type, and other attributes.
• cut - Extracts specific columns or sections from each line of a file.
• pushd - Changes to a specified directory while saving the current one onto a stack.
• popd - Returns to the directory stored at the top of the stack.
• xargs - Passes output from one command as input to another, useful in command pipelines.
• time - Measures the execution time of a given command.
• wondershaper - A bandwidth-limiting tool that allows you to shape network traffic.
• jq - A lightweight and flexible command-line JSON processor.

These tools help users navigate, manage, and analyze systems efficiently. If you’re looking to improve your Linux skills, experimenting with these commands is a great place to start.