Module 01 - Command Line Fundamentals

Lesson 04 - Practical Command Line Lab

Estimated time: 60–90 minutes

Difficulty: Beginner

Prerequisites: - Lesson 01 - The Linux Shell and Navigation - Lesson 02 - Working with Files and Directories - Lesson 03 - Viewing Files and Getting Help

Overview

This practical lab brings together the skills learned throughout Module 01.

You will complete common Linux command-line tasks including:

Navigating the filesystem
Creating directories
Managing files
Viewing file contents
Finding information
Reviewing system information

The goal is to complete the tasks without using a graphical interface.

Scenario

You have joined a Linux support team.

A new application server has been deployed, and you have been asked to prepare a working directory for an application support team.

Your tasks are to:

Create the required directory structure
Create configuration and log files
Review application information
Organise files correctly
Document your work

Lab Environment

Create a workspace:

mkdir -p ~/linux-lab

Move into the directory:

cd ~/linux-lab

Confirm your location:

pwd

Expected:

/home/<username>/linux-lab

Task 1 - Create Directory Structure

Create the following structure:

linux-lab/
|
├── application/
|
├── configuration/
|
├── logs/
|
└── backups/

Use:

mkdir application configuration logs backups

Verify:

ls

Task 2 - Create Application Files

Inside the application directory create:

app.txt
version.txt

Commands:

touch application/app.txt
touch application/version.txt

Verify:

ls application

Task 3 - Add Application Information

Add application details.

Example:

echo "Customer Portal Application" > application/app.txt

Add a version:

echo "Version 1.0" > application/version.txt

View the files:

cat application/app.txt

cat application/version.txt

Task 4 - Create Log Files

Create:

application.log
security.log

inside the logs directory.

Commands:

touch logs/application.log
touch logs/security.log

Add entries:

echo "Application started" >> logs/application.log

echo "User login successful" >> logs/security.log

Task 5 - Review Logs

Display the log files:

cat logs/application.log

cat logs/security.log

View the last entries:

tail logs/application.log

Task 6 - Copy Files for Backup

Create a backup copy of the application directory.

Command:

cp -r application backups/

Verify:

ls backups

Expected:

application

Task 7 - Rename a File

Rename:

version.txt

to:

application-version.txt

Command:

mv application/version.txt application/application-version.txt

Verify:

ls application

Task 8 - Find Information

Display all files:

find .

Expected output:

./application
./configuration
./logs
./backups

Task 9 - Review File Information

Display detailed information:

ls -lh application

Check file metadata:

stat application/app.txt

Task 10 - Use Command Help

Find help for the tar command.

Using:

man tar

Find:

How to create an archive
How to extract an archive

Task 11 - Create an Archive

Create a backup archive:

tar -cvf application-backup.tar application

Verify:

ls -lh

Task 12 - Clean Up

Remove the lab environment.

First check:

pwd

Confirm you are inside:

linux-lab

Then:

cd ..

Remove:

rm -r linux-lab

Challenge Tasks

Complete these without looking at previous examples.

Challenge 1

Create:

project
├── docs
├── scripts
└── data

Challenge 2

Create:

report.txt

Add three lines of text.

Challenge 3

Copy the file into:

docs

Challenge 4

Find all .txt files:

find .

Knowledge Check

Which command displays your current directory?
How do you create a directory?
Which command copies files?
What option is required to copy directories?
How do you view the end of a log file?
What command displays help documentation?
What does > do?
What does >> do?
What does the pipe symbol (|) do?
Why should rm -rf be used carefully?

Module 01 Complete

Congratulations.

You have completed:

Module 01 - Command Line Fundamentals

You can now:

✓ Navigate Linux systems
✓ Understand the command prompt
✓ Manage files and directories
✓ Read files and logs
✓ Use Linux documentation
✓ Complete basic administration tasks

Next module:

Module 02 - Linux Filesystem Administration