In this article, I will share with you the best resources for learning Linux for free. The collection includes websites, online video courses and free e-books.
How to learn Linux?
This is probably the most common problem among Facebook’s Linux user group.
The answer to the seemingly simple question “How to learn Linux” is not.
The problem is that learning Linux means different things to different people.
- Say someone has never used Linux, either command line or desktop, and that person might just want to know more about it.
- For example, someone who uses Windows as a desktop but must use the Linux command line at work might be interested in learning Linux commands.
- Say someone has been using Linux for a while and knows the basics, but he or she might want to take it to the next level.
- For example, someone is just interested in a particular distribution of Linux.
- Say someone wants to upgrade or learn Bash scripts that are almost identical to the Linux command line.
- Say someone wants to pursue a career as a Linux system administrator, or wants to improve his or her system administration skills.
You see, the answer to “How I learned Linux” depends on what kind of Linux knowledge you’re after. To that end, I’ve collected a number of resources that I can use to learn Linux.
These free resources include e-books, video courses, websites and more. These resources are divided into several subcategories so that you can easily find what you’re looking for when you’re trying to learn Linux.
Furthermore, there is no best way to learn Linux. It all depends on how you learn Linux, through an online portal, downloading an ebook, a video course, or whatever.
Let’s see how you can learn Linux.
Disclaimer: All books listed here can be downloaded legally. As far as I know, the resources mentioned here are official resources. However, if you find it is not, please let me know so THAT I can take appropriate action.
1. Free resources for complete beginners to learn Linux
Maybe you just heard about Linux from a friend or online discussion. The hype around Linux gets you excited about Linux, and you’re inundated with information on the Internet and don’t know where to find out more about Linux.
Don’t worry, most of us, if not all, have gone through this phase.
Introduction to Linux by the Linux Foundation
If you have no idea what Linux is and how to get started, I suggest you start with the Linux Foundation’s free video courses on edX. It can be seen as an official course for the organization that “maintains” Linux – yes, the organization endorsed by Linus Torvalds, the father of Linux.
- Introduction To Linux
Linux Journey [website]
It’s not official. It’s probably not very popular. But this little site is the perfect place for beginners to learn About Linux.
The site is beautifully designed and well organized by theme. It provides you with interactive quizzes that you can take after reading a section or chapter. My advice is to bookmark this site:
5 Days to Learn Linux [ebook]
This excellent book is completely free for FOSS readers, thanks to the Linux Training Academy.
Written for complete beginners, this free Linux ebook gives you an overview of Linux, common Linux instructions, and everything else you’ll need to get started.
You can download the book from the following page:
The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Linux [ebook]
This is a free ebook for Linux beginners. The ebook starts with an explanation of what Linux is and provides more hands-on experience using Linux as a desktop.
You can download the latest version of the ebook from the link below:
2. Free books for beginners
This section lists those Linux ebooks that have been “finished”.
I mean, most of these are like academic textbooks that focus on every aspect of Linux. You can read these books as a total beginner, or you can dive in as an intermediate Linux user. Even if you’re already an expert, you can use them as a reference.
Introduction to Linux [ebook]
Introduction to Linux is a free ebook from the Linux Documentation Project, and it is one of the most popular free Linux ebooks. Even if I think some of the paragraphs need to be updated, it’s still a very good ebook for teaching you Linux, Linux file systems, command lines, networking, and other related stuff.
- Introduction To Linux
Linux Basics [ebook]
This free ebook by Paul Cobbaut teaches you the history of Linux, installation, and basic Linux commands you need to know. You can get the book at the following link:
Advanced Programming in Linux [ebook]
As the name suggests, this is a book for power users who want or are developing Linux software. It explains complex functions such as multi-process, multi-threading, interprocess communication, and interaction with hardware devices.
Following this book will help you develop a faster, more reliable, and more secure project that uses the full functionality of the GNU/Linux system.
LFS [Ebook]
If you think you know enough about Linux, and you’re a professional, why not create your own version? Linux From Scratch (LFS) is a completely source-based, step-by-step guide to building your own custom Linux system.
Call it DIY Linux, and it’s a way to take your Linux expertise to new heights.
There are many subprojects about this project, which you can view and download on this website.
3. Learn Linux commands and Shell scripts for free ebook
The real power of Linux is the command line, and if you want to conquer Linux, you have to learn the command line and the shell.
In fact, if you have to use Linux terminals in your work, then being familiar with the Linux command line will actually help you get things done and potentially help you improve your career (because you’ll be more productive).
In this section, we’ll look at free ebooks on various Linux commands.
GNU/Linux Command-line Tools Overview [ebook]
This ebook in the Linux Documentation project is a great place to get your hands on the Linux command line and start getting familiar with Shell scripts.
- GNU/Linux Command – Line Tools Summary
GNU Bash Reference Manual [ebook]
This is a free ebook that can be downloaded from the GNU website. As the name implies, it involves the Bash Shell (if I can call it that). The book runs over 175 pages, and it covers many linux-related topics within Bash.
You can get it from the link below:
Linux Command Line [ebook]
Written by William Shotts, this 500-plus page free ebook is a must-have for anyone serious about learning the Linux command line.
Even if you think you know Linux, you’ll be surprised how much this book can teach you.
It covers everything from beginners to advanced. I bet you’ll be a better Linux user after reading this book. Please download this book and carry it with you at all times.
Bash’s Getting Started Guide [ebook]
If you want to start with Bash scripts, this might be a good helper for you. This ebook is also based on the Linux Documentation project, the author of the ebook introduction to Linux (discussed earlier in this article).
Bash Script Advanced Guide [ebook]
If you think you’ve learned the basics of Bash scripting, and you want to take your skills to the next level, this is the book you need. The book has over 900 pages of high-level commands and examples.
AWK Programming Language [ebook]
It’s not a pretty book, but if you really want to dive into scripting, this old but still great book will help.
Linux 101 Tips [ebook]
This 270-plus page book from The Geek Stuff teaches you The basics of The Linux command line through easy-to-follow examples. You can get it from the following link:
4. Free learning materials for specific distributions
This chapter focuses on material for specific Linux distributions. So far, what we’ve seen has been a normal way of learning Linux, focusing more on file systems, commands, and other core stuff.
These books, on the other hand, can be thought of as user manuals or guides to getting started with the various Linux distributions. So if you are using or preparing to use a particular Linux distribution, you can refer to these resources. Yes, these books focus more on the Linux desktop.
I would also like to add that most Linux distributions have their own extensive wiki or documentation. You can find them all the time on the Internet.
Ubuntu User Guide [EBOOK]
Needless to say, the book is aimed at Ubuntu users. This is a standalone project that provides a user guide to Ubuntu in the form of a free ebook. It comes with updates for every version of Ubuntu.
The book is called a User’s Guide because it is made up of step-by-step instructions and is aimed at complete novices to Ubuntu. So, you’ll learn about the Unity desktop and how to get used to it and find apps.
If you have never used Ubuntu Unity, then this is a must-have book for you, as it helps you understand how to use Ubuntu in your daily life.
- Ubuntu Manual
For Linux Mint: Just Tell Me! [Ebook]
A very basic ebook about Linux Mint. It shows you how to install Linux Mint in a virtual machine, how to find software, install updates and customize the Linux Mint desktop.
You can download the ebook at the following link:
Solus Linux User Guide [EBOOK]
Attention! This book used to be the official user guide for Solus Linux, but I couldn’t find any mention of it anywhere on the Solux project website. I don’t know if it’s out of date. Still, learn a little Solus Linux for free.
5. Free e-books for system administrators
This chapter focuses on the system administrator, the developer’s superhero. I’ve listed a few free e-books that will really help those who are already systems administrators or want to become systems administrators. I’d also say that you have to pay attention to the basic Linux command line, because it will make your job much easier.
The Debian Administration Handbook [ebook]
If you use Debian Linux as your server, this book is your bible. The book starts with the history of Debian, installation, package management, and so on, then covers topics such as LAMP, virtual machines, storage management, and other core system administration.
- The Debian Administration’s Handbook
Advanced Linux System Administration [ebook]
This is an ideal book if you are preparing for LPI certification. This book covers essential topics for system administrators, so knowledge of the Linux command line is a prerequisite.
Linux System Administration [ebook]
Another free ebook by Paul Cobbaut. The 370-page book covers networking, disk management, user management, kernel management, library management and more.
The Linux Server [ebook]
Another ebook from Paul Cobbaut at Linux-Training. be. This book covers Web servers, MySQL, DHCP, DNS, Samba, and other file servers.
Linux Networking [ebook]
The web is the bread and butter of systems managers, and this book, also by Paul Cobbaut, is a good reference.
Linux Storage [ebook]
This book by Paul Cobbaut (yes, him again) explains disk management for Linux in detail and introduces many other storage-related technologies.
Linux Security [ebook]
This is the last book on the list by Paul Cobbaut. Security is one of the most important jobs for a system administrator. The book focuses on file permissions, ACLs, SELinux, users and passwords, and more.
Do you have a favorite Linux source?
I know this is a good collection of free Linux ebooks, but it could do better.
If you have other resources that would be more helpful in learning Linux, please feel free to share them with us. Please note that only legal downloads are shared so that I can update this article based on your suggestions without any problems.
I hope you found this article helpful in learning Linux, and I welcome your feedback.
Via: itsfoss.com/learn-linux…
By Abhishek Prakash
This article is originally compiled by LCTT and released in Linux China