My First Week Learning Linux: The Foundation of My Cloud & DevOps Journey

Currently in the process of Cloud & DevOps training, I realized from the very beginning that Linux is a fundamental skill. Regardless of your interest, you will invariably find yourself working with it, be it on cloud servers, when deploying applications, automating processes, or handling container technologies like Docker and Kubernetes.

I’m primarily focusing on Cloud & DevOps, but I have also had a long-standing interest in Cybersecurity. Both domains seemed to converge at Linux as a common and essential skill for anyone aspiring to be a Cloud Engineer or Cybersecurity professional, which led me to begin developing a solid understanding.

Why Linux?

Almost every cloud platform, from AWS and Azure to Google Cloud, uses Linux-based servers for their services. Linux is not just a list of commands to be memorized. It’s about understanding the operating system that forms the backbone of a significant portion of our technological infrastructure.

Before diving deeper into cloud services, networking, containers, and automation, I felt it necessary to get acquainted with Linux.

A Brief History of Linux

While I was learning Linux, I became curious about its origins. Linux was heavily inspired by UNIX, a robust operating system known for its stable architecture. Back in 1983, Richard Stallman launched the GNU Project, which aimed to create a free and open-source operating system. Later, in 1991, Linus Torvalds developed the Linux kernel, and when combined with the tools of the GNU Project, it created what we now know as Linux.

Today, Linux powers cloud servers, web hosting environments, supercomputers, Android mobile phones, and much of the internet infrastructure we interact with daily.

Learning Through Practice

During my first week, my efforts were concentrated solely on learning Linux commands. Instead of just reading about them, I spent most of my time in the terminal. I believe that the best way to learn Linux is by getting your hands dirty: typing commands, making mistakes, fixing those mistakes, and repeating the cycle until it becomes intuitive.

I won’t go over each command individually in this article, as I plan to dedicate a future post to the essential Linux commands every beginner should be familiar with.

The Biggest Challenge

Coming from a background of only using the Windows graphical user interface, the initial prospect of using Linux and working through the command line was intimidating. Tasks that were previously as simple as clicking on buttons now required typing in a sequence of commands.

If you’re in the same boat, don’t let this put you off. Every Linux expert was once a beginner in exactly the same position. The command line eventually becomes a second nature and even a joy to use with consistent practice.

Fortunately, I’d had some prior experience with Linux before beginning my internship, so the transition wasn’t entirely alien. Even so, I quickly realized the vastness of the landscape I was stepping into.

What’s Next?

This is only the beginning of my learning journey. There are many more Linux concepts to master before I move on to the next stage of my Cloud & DevOps training, which will most likely be Networking.

I will continue documenting my progress and sharing what I learn. Not because I’m an expert, but because teaching is an excellent way to consolidate one’s understanding. Hopefully, these articles will also serve as a valuable resource for other beginners embarking on their learning paths.

So, if you’re starting your Linux adventure, remember this: Every expert was once a beginner who never stopped practicing.