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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• If you want to master Linux, you need to know these things.
• Some of what you need to know is simple, but some is complex.
• Don’t just learn these aspects; master them.

I’ve been using Linux since 1997, and my journey has been somewhat different from most. When I started, Linux was hard, and I mean hard. Every single thing I did on the operating system seemed like a challenge. During those early years, I worked tirelessly to learn the OS (because I didn’t have a choice, as Linux was the only OS I had and couldn’t afford to purchase another computer or a copy of Windows). 

As the years passed, Linux improved until it became easy enough for anyone to use. Because of that boost, I was able to stop using some of the skills I had learned over the years, and I became a bit lazy with the OS.

Also: This is my favorite Linux distro of all time – and I’ve tried them all

Every once in a while, however, I have to go back to those unused skills, dust them off, and either relearn or bone up on them.

So, what are those skills? They are the elements I think are an absolute must for anyone looking to become a Linux pro. 

1. The command line

Although Linux can be used without the command line now (which is a testament to the work put in by developers everywhere), if you really want to master the open-source OS, you’re going to have to not only learn the command line (CLI) but also reach the point where it is second nature. You should start with this list of eight commands that every Linux user should know and go from there.

Yes, you can use Linux without the command line, but if you really want to unleash its full potential, the CLI is a must. By using the command line, you can tap into power that the GUI does not offer. You also need to learn how to chain commands together, direct output, and more. 

Also: 7 Linux commands I can’t live without after 20 years in the terminal

And don’t think you can get by with commands like cd, rm, ls, mkdir, etc. You’ll need to get your fingers dirty with sed, iptables, dd, awk, and more. 

2. Regular expressions

Speaking of challenging commands, you’re going to need to learn regular expressions. I’ll warn you: regular expressions (aka regex) are not easy. When you first start down the rabbit hole with regex, it’s going to look like a bunch of gobbledegook comprised of random characters. But there’s actually a method to that madness.

Also: 5 Linux commands I use to keep my device running smoothly

I’m not gonna lie, regex is a pain to master, and I cannot say that I ever truly got it down to the point where I could hammer out some crazy-long regular expression without my brain tripping over itself. 

It doesn’t help that it’s been a long time since I’ve even had to use regular expressions. However, use it or lose it.

3. User and group permissions

Permissions are a critical component of Linux mastery. Both user and group permissions (as well as ownership) allow you to control who has access to what on your system hierarchy, so this is a skill that you should learn right out of the gate.

Also: 5 Linux commands for managing users

By learning user and group permissions, you can better contain malware and system breaches, control multi-user access, be better prepared to administer a system, and make file access more efficient and secure.

4. Package management

Yes, Linux has some amazing package managers with even more amazing front-end GUIs. You could go decades on Linux without touching the command line to install software. The thing is, if you want to be a pro, you’re going to have to learn how to use those package managers from the CLI.

Notice that I didn’t say ‘package manager?’ I used the plural, as in, “You’re going to need to learn all of the package managers.” APT, DNF, pacman, Zypper, deb, rpm, and more. 

Some day, you’ll need to install or troubleshoot software on a server, and that means you won’t have the GUI available.

Also: 8 Zorin OS settings I change on every new install – and why you should, too

If you’re happy being an end user, don’t worry about this capability. But if your goal is to be considered a Linux pro, learning the ins and outs of every package manager is a must.

5. Process management and system monitoring

At some point, a process will hang, and you’ll need to learn how to track it down and manage it. To do that task, you’ll need to learn system monitoring (to know if/when a process is causing problems) and process management (to stop, start, restart, or kill a rogue process). 

Also: 8 most Windows-like Linux distros – if you’re ready to ditch Microsoft

This capability means you’ll need to learn commands like ps, top, htop, grep, pgrep, pstree, pidof, and more. Sure, you can use a GUI for much of this work, but when a GUI isn’t available (or you need more power and flexibility than a GUI offers), you’ll need to have mastered these skills.

6. Logs

Knowing which logs to view, where they are, how to view them, and what they mean is key to mastering Linux. Logs are a crucial element of troubleshooting and your best way of keeping a Linux system running smoothly.

Your best friends will be found in /var/logs, so you want to scour that directory and understand what’s in there. I tend to go straight to viewing logs when a system shows signs of trouble, and one of the best tools for that step is the tail command. Learn that command and make use of it.

7. Bash scripts

Bash scripts are an amazing tool in Linux for automating tasks. You can create bash scripts for automated backups, tests, and so much more. In fact, bash scripts are only limited by your imagination. 

Also: How to create a Linux bash script – and what you can do with it

If there’s something you need to do on Linux, chances are that you can do it with a bash script. Bash scripts can be as simple as a single command or as complex as a hundred-line script. 

Just remember, every Linux bash script starts with a shebang line — #!/bin/bash.

8. Networking

Effective networking isn’t just about making sure your computer is connected to the internet; it’s also about ensuring you’re using proper routes, optimizing the system, using multiple NICs for different zones, understanding firewalls, and much more. For example, in Ubuntu-based distributions, you need to learn netplan, whereas in Red Hat-based distributions, you should learn nmtui.

Apart from regular expressions, this area is one of the more complex aspects of mastering Linux because it comprises many pieces.

Also: How I speed up my Linux system for free while RAM prices are out of control

However, if you master these eight elements of Linux, you can consider yourself a pro.