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Tips/Resources on the Shell. (programming.dev)
submitted 11 months ago by to c/linux@programming.dev
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So, I installed Linux Mint not too long ago, and while I've been able to do what I want to do without touching the Terminal, I am a bit curious how it works, and whether it could help me.

In particular, I am slowly getting into programming, and I've heard some people talk about strange, otherworldly things, like Vim, and Shell Scripts.

There was this PDF I downloaded called "The Linux Command Line" by William Shotts, but it is 570 pages long, and glancing through it, it seems to go into many different things, and I am afraid I'll end up learning a hundred things while only ever using ten of them, if you get my meaning.

So yeah, anyone who has some tips, or resources for a Linux newbie, please let me know.

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[–] 3 points 11 months ago (1 child)

For anyone coming later, I’d actually add a section between where you explain commands for the first time and where you explain their flags or at minimum directly after the flag section. The section should explain how commands are found, how the PATH works and where the majority of binaries on a Linux system are located. Knowing that will allow a reader to immediately understand how simple a shell is and how people are always able to write their own scripts for stuff.

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  • [–] 2 points 11 months ago

    Yeaaaaaaah, I wasn't sure whether or not to put that somewhere or not, and eventually decided not. I devalued all env vars, which I would feel like I had to move up to get into the PATH. I love the path, and I do agree with you that is important for understanding how the system really works, and how you can add your own commands, but I guess I figure that's a good Shell 201. For someone who wants to start using it, and isn't sure what a grep is or why a cat is involved, I figure they're not yet primed to care where these things live on their disk.

    But soon after, for sure! And obviously others can disagree with me.

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