Essential Linux Commands You Need Right Now

Linux Directory Structure

bin – stores binary executables

sbin – stores system binaries (root only)

etc – system configuration files

usr – shared system resources

home – users' home directories

root – superuser's home directory

dev – device files

lib – shared libraries and kernel modules

mnt – mount points for temporary filesystems

boot – boot loader files

tmp – temporary files

var – variable data files

Common Linux Commands

Command format: command -options arguments (options and arguments may be omitted). Example:

ls -la /usr

File and Directory Operations (2.1)

Images illustrate typical file manipulation commands such as ls, cp, mv, and rm.

System Commands (2.2)

Typical system utilities are shown, including process management, network tools, and system monitoring.

Compression and Decompression (2.3)

Common commands for archiving and extracting files are presented.

File Permission Operations (2.4)

Permission notation is explained: r (read), w (write), x (execute). Binary representation 111 110 100 corresponds to 764. The first character indicates file type (d for directory, - for regular file, l for link). Subsequent groups of three characters represent user, group, and other permissions, respectively; a denotes all permissions.

r – read permission

w – write permission

x – execute permission

First character: file type (d, -, l)

Second‑fourth characters: user permissions (u)

Fifth‑seventh characters: group permissions (g)

Eighth‑tenth characters: other permissions (o)

All permissions: a

Linux Keyboard Shortcuts and Symbol Commands (3)

Vim Editor (4)

Vim is the most common text editor on Linux, operating entirely via commands without menus. The following images show mode switching and common editing commands.

Modifying Text (4.1)

Navigation Commands (4.2)

Replace and Cancel Commands (4.3)

Delete Commands (4.4)

Common Shortcuts (4.5)