Basics - Foundational Knowledge

Status: Active
Last Updated: 2026-01-30
Category: Fundamentals
Prerequisites: None - Start here if you're new
Tags: beginner, fundamentals, linux, ssh, command-line, onboarding

Summary

Foundational knowledge for developers and system administrators starting from absolute zero. This directory contains guides that assume no prior knowledge of Linux, command-line tools, or infrastructure concepts.

🎯 Learning Path

Start here if you're asking yourself:

"I've never used Linux before, where do I start?"
"What is SSH and why does everyone keep mentioning it?"
"How do I use the command line effectively?"
"I just joined the team, what do I need to set up?"

Day 1: New Developer Guide
    ↓
Linux Fundamentals ──→ SSH Basics ──→ Command Line Essentials
    ↓                      ↓                   ↓
Git Fundamentals    Bash Scripting      Text Editors
    ↓                      ↓                   ↓
        Ready for kb/containers/ (Docker) →

📚 Articles in This Directory

🟢 Absolute Beginner (Start Here)

Essential First Steps:

day1-new-developer - Complete onboarding checklist for new team members
- Workstation setup
- Tool installation
- First connection to servers
- Where to find help
- Prerequisites: None
- Time: 2-4 hours
linux-fundamentals - Everything you need to know about Linux basics
- Filesystem structure and navigation
- File permissions and ownership
- Users and groups
- Process management
- Prerequisites: None
- Time: 4-6 hours to read, weeks to master
ssh-basics - Secure Shell fundamentals
- What is SSH and why it matters
- Key generation and management
- SSH config file
- Tunneling and port forwarding
- Security best practices
- Prerequisites: Basic Linux knowledge
- Time: 2-3 hours

🟡 Building Skills

Command Line Mastery: 4. command-line-essentials - Essential CLI tools

grep, awk, sed, find
Pipes and redirection
Text processing
Practical examples
Prerequisites: Linux fundamentals
Time: 3-4 hours

bash-scripting - Introduction to shell scripting
- Variables and data types
- Control structures (if, loops)
- Functions
- Error handling
- Best practices
- Prerequisites: Command line essentials
- Time: 4-6 hours
git-fundamentals - Version control basics
- What is Git and why use it
- Basic commands (clone, add, commit, push, pull)
- Branching and merging
- .gitignore and common workflows
- Prerequisites: Command line essentials
- Time: 3-4 hours
text-editors - Editing files on the command line
- nano basics (easiest)
- vim fundamentals (powerful)
- VS Code remote editing
- When to use which editor
- Prerequisites: Linux fundamentals
- Time: 1-2 hours
package-managers - Installing software on Linux
- apt (Debian/Ubuntu)
- dnf/yum (RHEL/Fedora)
- Package repositories
- Security updates
- Prerequisites: Linux fundamentals
- Time: 1-2 hours

🔗 What Comes Next?

After completing the basics, you're ready to progress to:

For Developers:

kb/containers/ - Learn Docker and containerization
kb/cicd/ - Understand CI/CD pipelines with Forgejo

For System Administrators:

kb/sysadmin/ - Deep dive into system administration
kb/infrastructure/ - Infrastructure as Code with Ansible

For Security-Focused:

kb/security/ - Security fundamentals and best practices

📊 Resource Requirements

All basics topics require:

Hardware: Any computer with terminal access [█░░░░░░░░░] 10% - Very light
Server: Optional for SSH practice [██░░░░░░░░] 20% - Minimal VM
Time Investment: 20-40 hours total for mastery [████████░░] 80% - Significant but essential

🛠️ Recommended Tools

Text Editors (choose one):

nano [██░░░░░░░░] - Easiest for beginners
vim [████████░░] - Powerful but steeper learning curve
VS Code [████░░░░░░] - GUI with remote SSH extension

Terminal Emulators:

Windows: Windows Terminal, PuTTY
macOS: iTerm2, built-in Terminal
Linux: GNOME Terminal, Terminator, Alacritty

SSH Clients:

Built-in OpenSSH (Linux/macOS/Windows 10+)
PuTTY (Windows legacy)

📖 Learning Resources

Official Documentation

Linux Documentation Project - Comprehensive Linux guides
GNU Bash Manual - Official bash reference
OpenSSH Manual - SSH documentation

Community Tutorials (Beginner)

Linux Journey - Interactive Linux learning
The Missing Semester - MIT course on command-line tools
Bash Guide for Beginners - Comprehensive bash intro

Video Content (Beginner)

Linux Tutorial for Beginners - Full course by freeCodeCamp
SSH Crash Course - Quick SSH overview

Books (Beginner)

"The Linux Command Line" by William Shotts - Best beginner book
"Linux Basics for Hackers" by OccupyTheWeb - Practical approach

💡 Pro Tips for Beginners

Don't Memorize, Practice: You'll learn commands by using them, not by reading
Use man Pages: Every command has a manual (man ls, man ssh)
Tab Completion: Press Tab to autocomplete filenames and commands
History: Use up/down arrows to navigate command history
Google is Your Friend: "how to [task] in linux" is a perfectly valid search
Ask for Help: Nobody knows everything, asking questions is how you learn
Start Simple: Master the basics before moving to advanced topics
Build Muscle Memory: Repetition is key for command-line fluency

🔄 Related KB Sections

kb/sysadmin/ - Advanced system administration (builds on basics)
kb/gitops/ - Git workflows for operations
kb/research/sysadmin - Research notes on system administration

📝 Change Log

2026-01-30

Created basics directory structure
Defined learning path for absolute beginners
Established prerequisite chain
Listed planned articles with time estimates
Added resource requirements with ASCII bars
Compiled learning resources organized by type and skill level

Remember: Everyone starts somewhere. These basics are the foundation for everything else in this knowledge base. Take your time, practice consistently, and don't skip ahead until you're comfortable with each topic.