Where to start?

j0z3ph0s · 2016-02-20 08:37:54

I have no tips to offer, but I would like some - specifically: I want to learn more about Linux and programming in general. But where do I start? Suggestions?

Perhaps I should describe my current abilities: I can install Linux distros and have done it a few times, I know a few terminal commands (just the really basic stuff), and that's about the extent of it.

There's so much to learn, I just don't know where to start.

Last edited by j0z3ph0s (2016-02-20 08:41:59)

Head_on_a_Stick · 2016-02-20 09:28:53

This should get you started with the shell:
https://nixsrv.com/llthw

It's a little bit dated now (especially exercise 15) but it's still a very good introduction.

For more on shell scripting, see Greg's Wiki:
http://mywiki.wooledge.org/BashGuide

The best source of information is the online documentation already present in your system.

Try these commands:

man man
man apropos
info info

The man pages are the reference documentation and should always be referred to before running an unknown command.

The more man pages you read the easier it becomes to extract useful information from them.

Use "/" to enter a search term and then use "n" & "N" to skip to the next and previous instance of the term.

TeoBigusGeekus · 2016-02-20 09:44:05

Check this out as well.

+1 for Greg's Wiki

Unia · 2016-02-20 12:42:56

You can also start by taking a few online classes. edX has quite a few and there are similar things available elsewhere, just Google for MOOC (Massive Open Online Course).

j0z3ph0s · 2016-02-20 18:10:02

Thank you all. The internet is big. It's nice to know where to click. :-)

As far as programming language, I read where some recommend Python as a first to learn and others swear by C+ as the first language to learn. Thoughts?

Unia · 2016-02-20 18:32:37

^ First language is less important than you might think. I recommend to just choose one (one that makes you curious, or one that "feels inviting") and see how you go with it. If it makes you happy, continue. If you feel agitated, try another. What you come to realize once you know your way around two or three languages is that it is the concepts that matter, not the languages themselves.

EDIT: I am not denying that some languages are better suited towards beginners than others. That is certainly true. However, choosing a hard language to start with is not necessarily wrong and it won't hinder you in being able to learn how to program. Quite the contrary: you might be exposed to more "under the hood" stuff like manual memory management, or perhaps even some Operating System theories.

Sector11 · 2016-02-20 18:52:14

I found this yesterday: http://www.grymoire.com/

OH YEA! I have a lot of reading to do.

Horizon_Brave · 2016-02-22 02:21:07

j0z3ph0s wrote:

I have no tips to offer, but I would like some - specifically: I want to learn more about Linux and programming in general. But where do I start? Suggestions?
Perhaps I should describe my current abilities: I can install Linux distros and have done it a few times, I know a few terminal commands (just the really basic stuff), and that's about the extent of it.
There's so much to learn, I just don't know where to start.

I was in your position not all that long ago. The best thing to do is ask questions, search forums, for questions that are similar to yours, and follow along with the train of thought as to WHY, logically things work the way they do in Linux/Programming. I would learn the basic concepts of linux, and how it works, they move to a programming language that you feel comfortable with and meets you needs of what you want to do.
Get a good book on the language, and stick with it. Taking it slow and bit by bit helps.

My main piece of advice though, is to practice and use this stuff yourself. Daily if you can. Asking people questions is great, (trust me I do it a lot 'round these parts) but the best way to learn at times..is to pick up the problem yourself and try it yourself. I found for myself... I learn much better when I can answer my own questions. I then document it in OneNote or something, so I can go back and reference it if I get stumped again later on.

dot|not · 2016-02-22 07:28:22

j0z3ph0s wrote:

Thank you all. The internet is big. It's nice to know where to click. :-)

Speaking of the Internet being big, I might have one non-technical piece of advice: Find some people that share similar interests and hang out. It's a lot easier to keep going, especially in the beginning, when the exercises tend to be boring, when you have people around you doing similar stuff.

Of course there will be days where you and your friends will just end up playing videogames or trash-talking each other all day long, but these are exceptions. 90% of the time they'll just keep you going.

As far as programming language, I read where some recommend Python as a first to learn and others swear by C+ as the first language to learn. Thoughts?

I am not a programmer, by far not. But most people that I know that work as programmers without classic formal education (computer science degree, maths degree, etc.) recommend any of the bigger scripting languages - Python most often, with Ruby being the 'new' kid on the block - as first language, because it helps you with a lot of baggage that comes when starting out, and gives you fast results. Most people I know that have the aforementioned educational background tend to recommend C, because it 'teaches you how to program right'. Personally I'd go with Python.

tknomanzr · 2016-02-22 07:54:13

Most front-end code for Llinux is written using python, bash or perl. Of the three, I find python to be the easiest to learn in terms of syntax. Most of our devs here prefer bash. I use bash to an extent but once I hit a certain stage of complexity I usually end up having to switch to python to get anything done.

j0z3ph0s · 2016-02-23 03:55:06

Thanks for the input, everybody. Very good advice. Getting proficient with the nuts-n-bolts of Linux first and then learning python, it seems, is a good idea for a person in my position.

zephyr · 2016-02-27 08:07:10

Find this link very helpful.

https://debian-handbook.info/browse/stable/

Z

pvsage · 2016-02-27 09:32:01

^ Has its readability improved, or is it still like reading the sun?

dot|not · 2016-02-27 13:39:35

It's better, but there is still significant room for improvement.

#1 2016-02-20 08:37:54

Where to start?

#2 2016-02-20 09:28:53

Re: Where to start?

#3 2016-02-20 09:44:05

Re: Where to start?

#4 2016-02-20 12:42:56

Re: Where to start?

#5 2016-02-20 18:10:02

Re: Where to start?

#6 2016-02-20 18:32:37

Re: Where to start?

#7 2016-02-20 18:52:14

Re: Where to start?

#8 2016-02-22 02:21:07

Re: Where to start?

#9 2016-02-22 07:28:22

Re: Where to start?

#10 2016-02-22 07:54:13

Re: Where to start?

#11 2016-02-23 03:55:06

Re: Where to start?

#12 2016-02-27 08:07:10

Re: Where to start?

#13 2016-02-27 09:32:01

Re: Where to start?

#14 2016-02-27 13:39:35

Re: Where to start?

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