I'm trying to learn more Linux commands and become better at solving my own problems instead of needing help every time. I'm still very new and only know the basics. ADHD and a traumatic brain injury make learning especially difficult for me, but I'm committed to improving and seem to retain information better from physical books than from online articles or videos. Are there any printed books you would recommend for learning the Linux command line and everyday system administration? I use a Fedora-based distribution, so I'm also wondering whether that should affect which books I choose. Exercises and hands-on practice would be especially helpful.
3 Answers
Mark Sobell’s Linux books are another solid option, especially if you want a broad reference that covers both commands and system administration. For practice, start with fundamentals such as pwd, ls, cd, copying and moving files, permissions, and viewing processes. Then work through the examples on your own Fedora system, preferably in a virtual machine so mistakes are safe to undo.
The Linux Command Line is an excellent starting point for learning shell commands, navigating the filesystem, and writing basic scripts. How Linux Works is a deeper follow-up that explains what is happening under the hood. There is some overlap, so the first book may be enough if your main goal is everyday Linux use. Your distribution should not matter much for the fundamentals; most standard commands work the same everywhere. The biggest Fedora-specific difference will usually be the package manager and some administration tools.
Check your local library for books on the Linux terminal or Bash. A book with exercises will be much more useful than one that only explains concepts—read a section, try the commands yourself, and repeat them until they become familiar. You can also print a Linux command reference or cheat sheet for quick review.
Related Questions
How To Get Your Domain Unblocked From Facebook
How To Find A String In a Directory of Files Using Linux