A.

Absolute Path

Absolute Path indicates the actual file path with respect to the root directory. It is the complete file path and can be used to refer to any file or folder from any other directory to run commands in the terminal.

Alias

It is a string shortcut that can replace a particular widely used command. This allows getting rid of the repetitive use of a long command, thus increasing efficiency while saving time.

Applet

Shortcuts with an icon that can open an application. It also gives more options and information about that particular application.

Apt

Apt stands for Advanced Package Tool. This package handles many essential application tools for Linux. This package management system includes installing a package, updating, or even removing it. The apt command can be used in the terminal to access these tools.

Archive

An archive is a collection of many different files and folders. It also includes the details required to restore files to their original state.

In general, using a package manager requires an archive, as all the files needed for installation or updates are compressed into a single archive and distributed from a remote repository.

B.

Bash

Bash(Bourne Again Shell) is the most popular command language interpreter for the GNU operating system. It supports functions, variables, and flow controls and also reads and executes commands from a file.

BSD UNIX

BSD(Berkeley Software Distribution) is a UNIX operating system. It is a free and open-source system, used in various refurbished forms that originated from the primal version.

C.

CLI

CLI stands for Command Line Interface. It has a text interface instead of a Graphical User Interface (GUI). Users can type their commands here and run them with great flexibility.

Actually, GUI uses these commands in the backend. It is also known as a terminal, shell, or command prompt.

Client

A client is the front-end user program that can connect to a server to access information or service. In general, workstations are clients who can request information from 1 or more systems/servers for information.

Command

Commands are programs or applications in a Linux terminal for executing tasks. All the programs use commands, frontend or backend, and even GUI.

In a terminal, commands can be run by typing them with options and arguments. Appending many simple commands for a complex one is also possible.

Command Prompt

Command Prompt refers to an application present in most operating systems, which has a text-based input system, takes command, and executes it without the use of GUI. It is often used for complex and advanced commands which are sometimes unavailable in the GUI.

Cron Job

Cron is a task that is also known as a daemon (background process activated according to a set schedule) in the UNIX-like operating system. Cron jobs are just the tasks scheduled in cron, which are waiting in the background for activation.

Cron jobs are stored in the crontab files. A cron job requires pieces of information like minutes, hours, days of the month, months, days of the week, and the particular command.

Crontab

Cron Table stores the cron commands for execution. These cron commands are processed in the background for activation at a set schedule. A crontab syntax includes pieces of information about a minute, hour, day of the month, month, day of the week, and the particular command.

D.

Directory

The warehouse for the system where every file, folder, and related information that are needed to be accessed is stored in.

Distribution/Distro

Linux Distribution(distro) is an operating system that is composed of collections of various forms of open-source packages such as Kernel, Shell Utilities, System environment, X server, graphical programs, etc.

dpkg

A tool used to install, build, remove, configure and manage Debian packages. It is the primary package manager for Debian, used to interact with Linux-based systems.

E.

Emacs

The oldest text editor that is available for Linux and Unix-based operating systems. Having a wide range of powerful and rich editing options makes it a very popular and versatile one.

Environment

An area consisting of information about the behavior of programs and applications. Environment variables characterize the behavior of the environment.

G.

GCC

In terms of Linux, GCC is an abbreviation for GNU Compiler Collection. As the name suggests its purpose is to compile different programming languages, generally C and C++, Ada, and considerably more. GCC extends ample attributes to the users through code optimization and multi-platform compilation.

GID

Groups in Linux or Unix-like systems are interpreted as GIDs(group identifiers). Basically, GID is a numeric entity assigned to portray a certain group.  It is an indispensable module of Unix file systems as well as operations.

GIMP

Gimp, short for GNU Image Manipulation Program, is a multiplatform image editor. It is a completely free and open-source graphics tool and can be supplemented with plug-ins and add-ons to perform various graphical tasks.

GNOME

GNU Network Object Model Environment or GNOME is the most popular free and open-source desktop environment system for Linux and Unix-like systems. In simple words, any desktop environment is what we see on our screens from lock screens to application icons. GNOME is intended to mold Linux-based operating systems more user-friendly.

GNU

GNU (not the same as Unix), is a free operating system. It is free in the sense that it enables the user to perform modifications and to be in control over the system itself.

GRUB

GRUB(GRand Unified Bootloader) is a Multi-bootloader package. GRUB is assigned to stack and shift authority to the operating system kernel. In succession, the kernel configures the residuum of the operating system.

GUI

Graphical User Interface (GUI) is a graphical software interface consisting of symbols i.e. icons, pictures, and perceptible metaphors which enables users to easily interact with the computer.

H.

Host

The host is a computer connected to another one with the help of an internet connection. It has the capability of passing information resources, specialized software, network address, protocol stack, services, permissions, and applications to other users or other hosts.

K.

Kernel

The kernel works as the middle layer that interfaces between a computer’s hardware and its process. It is the core foundation of a Linux operating system, which virtualizes the common hardware resources of the computer.

L.

Localhost

The server, running on a personal computer. It is the hostname or the computer that is currently in use to run a program.

M.

Man Page

In Unix and Unix-like systems, the man page(manual page) is the documentation of different commands that helps every user to understand the functions and applications of a command.

O.

Open Source

Open code for all users, which they can run, build, study, develop, reconstruct, control and copy as they need anytime.

P.

Package Manager

An assembly of software tools that are used to perform actions such as installing, modifying, configuring, removing, searching, downloading, and managing system programs.

Piping

A command that takes the standard output of a command to the standard input of a command, working as a natural pipe for passing between the two. It is a type of redirection.

R.

Redirection

Redirection depicts the idea of handling the standard inputs, standard outputs, and standard errors while executing commands on the terminal.

Relative Path

Relative Path indicates the path of a file with respect to the current folder or directory. It is possible to use a relative path in the command line if the file is present in the current directory, otherwise, the shell won’t find the file path

Repository

A repository is a distant storage system, where much-supporting software linked to operating systems is reserved to be accessed by the operating system at any time when needed. Moreover, the Linux repository stores supporting software for its various distributions where the operating system can maneuver the software as needed.

Root Access

Roots Access refers to the ability to execute anything by utilizing root privileges. On another note, root privileges mean the ability to read, write and modify any files or operations in the system.

Root Directory

Root directory refers to the zenith of the directory hierarchy, usually denoted by a forward slash (/) in Linux. It contains all files, data, information, and directories of the system.

Root Partition

Root partition refers to the rational segregation of space that runs the virtual machines within the computer. Generally, it operates with the parent partitioning to frame child partitions for the virtual machines.

Root User

Root user refers to the supreme user who has access over literally everything in a system. In Linux, any user ID assigned with entity ‘0’ is the root user.

S.

Server

A server refers to a device or system connected to many clients or local machines and provides information and services. In general, a server accepts requests, handles storage, and provides services, a vital part of the network systems.

Linux is widely used for server operating systems as it’s an open-source, stable, and secure platform. They are light and don’t need any graphical interface.

Shell

An interpreter between a user and kernel. It takes inputs in the form of human-readable commands and displays the output after executing it. When a user begins to log in or start the terminal, a shell starts.

It is a vital part of UNIX-like operating systems like Linux that can work with commands which are sometimes unavailable in the GUI.

Sudo

Super User Do. Sudo commands allow users to execute commands that require root access/permission. To run the Sudo command, the user must have administrator permission and the user’s password.

This command gives the user ‘Super User’ permissions and is required to install, update or modify an application in the OS.

T.

Terminal

A text-based operating system, which provides a visual representation of the shell to control the machine.

It is an application that doesn’t need a GUI to execute a command and was the only medium of communication until the GUI was created.

TCP/IP

Transmission Control Protocol. It is the interconnect between the application program and the Internet protocol. It is used to exchange data between applications and computing devices like the internet, peer-to-peer sharing, and even private networks.

TCP/IP is quite different from the IP address. While the IP address works on the location to which data is sent, TCP ensures the delivery to the IP address.

U.

Unix

Originally, Unix was an operating system that was built at the Bell lab in the mid-60s. However, currently, it represents a band of operating systems that are based on the Original Unix operating system. These operating systems have the ability of multitasking and multiuser computing operations. The Unix system emphasizes modular and minuscule discrete program development which in combination can perform complicated tasks.