When you’re just starting in cloud computing, Linux might seem like an extra thing you can “figure out later.” After all, isn’t the AWS Management Console full of nice buttons to click?
Reality is, the deeper you go into the cloud, the more you’ll realize that Linux isn’t optional, it’s essential. Almost every cloud service you’ll interact with runs on Linux, and at some point, you’ll leave the comfort of clicking around and start typing commands into a terminal. So, if you’re serious about cloud computing, take some time to learn Linux before any other thing.
Why Learn Linux?
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It makes learning other cloud tools easier
Many advanced cloud tools, like Docker, Kubernetes, and Terraform, are designed to run on Linux. If you already understand basic Linux commands, learning these tools will feel far less intimidating. -
Most Cloud Servers Run on Linux
When you launch an EC2 instance in AWS, chances are you’ll be picking a Linux-based AMI (Amazon Machine Image). Knowing Linux means you can set up and manage these servers. -
Saves You Time and Money
Clicking around the console is slow, and in the cloud, time often equals cost. With Linux commands, you can deploy, update, or troubleshoot in seconds, faster than doing it manually. -
Fixing problems becomes easier
Imagine you’re hosting a website on AWS, and suddenly it stops working. What do you do? Troubleshooting is easier with Linux. Running simple commands like ‘top’, ‘cat’, or ‘tail’, ‘systemctl restart’ will help you find the root cause in no time. You get to read logs to see what went wrong and restart the service. Without Linux knowledge, you’d be stuck waiting for someone else to help. -
You’ll need to “talk” to servers
In the cloud, you don’t just click buttons like you do on your laptop. Instead, you type commands in a terminal. This is how you tell a server to create folders, move files, or install software. That’s Linux in action.
Understanding Linux
Most of us grew up using Windows, so Linux can feel unfamiliar at first. To make it easier to understand, let’s look at some key Linux concepts and compare them with Windows. This way, you can relate them to what you already know and quickly get comfortable with how things work in Linux.
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Everything in Linux is a File
Files, folders, hardware (USB, disk), processes, even network connections are all treated as “files”
Windows: You have “This PC” with drives, device manager for hardware
Linux: /dev/sda, /proc/cpuinfo, /sys, all represent devices or system info as files -
The Filesystem Starts at Root (/)
The highest level is /, not C: drive
Windows: C:UsersEfiaDocuments
Linux: /home/efia/Documents -
Terminal vs Command Prompt
Linux’s terminal is powerful and used for most operations
Windows: You might use File Explorer or CMD occasionally
Linux: CLI is essential (you navigate, install, and automate from it) -
Package Managers = App Store
Linux uses tools like apt, yum to install software
Windows: You download .exe files or use the Microsoft Store
Linux: Run sudo apt install firefox, and you’re done -
Case Sensitivity Matters
EFIA.txt ≠ efia.txt in Linux -
Sudo = Admin Access
Linux uses sudo to perform superuser tasks
Do you need to be an expert in Linux before starting cloud?
No, you don’t! But you should be comfortable with the basics. Here’s what to focus on first:
- Basic Navigation and File Management (cd, ls, pwd, mkdir, rm)
- File Permissions and Ownership (chmod, chown)
- Working with Processes and System Monitoring (top, ps, kill)
- Package Management (apt, yum)
- User Management and SSH Basics (creating users, connecting to servers via SSH)
Where to practice?
You can learn and practice Linux for free using platforms like:
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You can also set up a virtual machine on your local computer, install Linux on it, and practice directly from there.
Resources
Download Oracle VM
How to install Ubuntu on Oracle VM
One important thing to keep in mind is that without regular practice, you’re likely to forget what you learn. Practice a little every day, get comfortable with the basics, and when you finally dive deeper into cloud computing, you’ll thank yourself for building this foundation.