Lab Activity
Module 3: GNU and Unix Commands
Learn to master essential GNU and Unix commands for text processing, file handling, and automation directly from the Linux command line.
Overview
In this lab, you'll explore essential GNU and Unix commands that form the foundation of Linux system administration and shell scripting. You'll practice working with files, directories, and text streams using powerful utilities like cat, grep, awk, sed, sort, uniq, and find. By combining these tools, you'll learn how to process data efficiently, extract information, automate text handling, and manage system files - all directly from the command line.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this lab, you'll be able to:
- Perform text viewing, searching, and filtering using cat, head, tail, and grep.
- Manipulate and format text using awk, sed, cut, and tr.
- Sort, count, and deduplicate data using sort, uniq, and wc.
- Use file-finding tools like find, which, and whereis to locate files and commands.
- Understand links and permissions through ln and chmod operations.
- Redirect and capture output with tee and command pipelines.
Key Concepts
- Text Processing Tools: Commands like
grep,awk, andsedallow efficient searching, filtering, and modifying of text streams. - Pipelines and Redirection: Combine commands using
|and manage input/output redirection for automation and logging. - File Management: Create, view, link, and organize files using core utilities such as
cat,ln, andchmod. - Command Discovery: Learn how
which,type, andwhereisreveal command paths and definitions. - Sorting and Counting: Use
sort,uniq, andwcto structure and analyze text data. - Stream Manipulation: Transform data dynamically using
cut,tr, andteefor clean, readable outputs.
Why It Matters
- These commands are the building blocks of Linux proficiency every admin, developer, and analyst relies on them.
- Mastering command-line utilities enables you to automate tasks, process logs, and troubleshoot efficiently.
- Understanding text and file manipulation builds a foundation for shell scripting and system automation.
- These skills make you faster, more capable, and independent from GUI tools, which is critical in professional Linux environments.