Devops From Scratch: Entry #01

Source: Dev.to

Introduction

I have used Windows all my life. My very first computer was a cream HP with the big “head.” At that age, carrying that computer would have been a death wish—it was extremely heavy and stayed in one spot until it stopped working. I started with Windows XP and have remained a loyal Windows user ever since (never even used macOS).

Today, 26 December 2025 (Merry Christmas! 🎅🎄), is the first time I am learning about Linux, mostly the fundamentals.

“If Python is the language we use to build apps, Linux is the language we use to build the world those apps live in. Almost every Docker container, AWS instance, and Kubernetes node runs on Linux.”

If you’re still clicking icons to move files, you’re a passenger. Today, we become the pilot.

Learning Resources

• Introduction to Linux – 60‑hour self‑paced course covering almost everything you need to know about Linux.
• FreeCodeCamp Linux Course – Full 7‑hour video course.

The Linux File Hierarchy System (FHS)

In Linux, everything is a file. Even your hard drive and keyboard are represented as files. Linux follows the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (FHS), which defines where different types of files belong.

• /bin & /usr/bin – Executable tools (e.g., ls, cd, python).
• /etc – Configuration files; the most important folder for DevOps.
• /var/log – System logs; first place to look when something goes wrong.
• /tmp – Temporary files that are cleared on reboot.

Core Philosophy

“Write programs that do one thing well and work together.”

We connect programs using pipes (|). Common redirection operators:

• > – Redirect output to a file (overwrites).
• >> – Append output to the end of a file.
• | – Pipe the output of one command into another.

Flashcard Learning Aid

If you struggle with ADHD or any neurodivergence, I created a flashcard‑style webpage called FLASHY to help remember concepts from the Linux introduction course. Try it out:

Roadmap

The series continues with Entry #02: Linux Philosophy and Concepts 🚀 – we’ll explore why Linux works the way it does, why “everything is a file,” and why “small is beautiful” in software design.

Happy learning!