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Mujahida Joynab
Mujahida Joynab

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Linux Commands

1. mkdir --help

Meaning: Shows help for mkdir command

Description: Displays all options and usage rules for creating directories.


2. clear

Meaning: Cleans the terminal

Description: Removes all previous output from the terminal screen.


3. alias c=clear

Meaning: Creates a shortcut for clear

Description: After this, typing c and pressing Enter will clear the terminal.


4. /etc/shadow

Meaning: Stores user passwords

Description: Every hacker wants to access this file because it contains all encrypted passwords.


5. /etc/passwd

Meaning: Stores user information

Description: Contains username, UID, GID, home directory, and shell.


6. /etc/group

Meaning: Stores group information

Description: Contains group names, GIDs, and group members.


7. tail -3 /etc/shadow

Meaning: Shows last 3 lines of shadow file

Description: Displays password info of the last 3 users.


8. head -3 /etc/shadow

Meaning: Shows first 3 lines of shadow file

Description: Displays password info of the first 3 users.


9. cat /etc/group

Meaning: Shows all groups

Description: Displays all group information and members.


10. cat /etc/passwd

Meaning: Shows all users

Description: Displays all user account information.


11. cat /etc/shadow

Meaning: Shows passwords of all users

Description: Displays encrypted passwords and password policy details.


12. whoami

Meaning: Shows current user

Description: Tells you which user you are currently logged in as.


13. pwd

Meaning: Shows current folder

Description: Tells you which directory you are currently in.


14. useradd --help

Meaning: Shows help for useradd

Description: Displays all options and rules for creating a new user.


15. useradd kamal

Meaning: Creates a new user named kamal

Description: Creates a user account and a group named kamal.


16. passwd kamal

Meaning: Sets password for user kamal

Description: Used to set or change the login password for a user.


17. sudo

Meaning: Run command as superuser

Description: Means "on behalf of the superuser." Not needed if you are already root.


18. usermod -s /sbin/nologin kamal

Meaning: Blocks login for kamal

Description: Changes the user's shell to nologin so they cannot log in.


19. usermod -s /bin/bash kamal

Meaning: Unblocks login for kamal

Description: Restores the bash shell so the user can log in again.


20. history

Meaning: Shows previously used commands

Description: Displays a list of commands you have run earlier.


21. su kamal

Meaning: Switch to user kamal

Description: Logs in or switches to the kamal user account.


22. exit

Meaning: Ends current session

Description: Closes shell, returns to previous user, or closes terminal.


23. usermod -L kamal

Meaning: Locks kamal account

Description: Locks the user account by adding ! to the password.


24. usermod -U kamal

Meaning: Unlocks kamal account

Description: Unlocks the user account by removing ! from the password.


25. usermod -e 2026-08-27 kamal

Meaning: Sets expiry date for kamal

Description: Account will automatically expire on the given date.


Key Concepts

Group Explanation:

A group is like a WhatsApp group. If you send a message, all members see it. In Linux, you give permissions (read, write, or both) to a group, and all members get that access.

User Creation Rules:

  1. When you create a user, a group with the same name is automatically created.
  2. User IDs (UID) start from 1000 by default.

Password Status in /etc/shadow:

  • Password set → shows encrypted text
  • No password → shows ! (account locked)

Shell:

A program that:

  • Takes user commands
  • Tells computer to execute them
  • Shows results
  • Acts as an interface between user and operating system

Service Users:

Every service in Linux runs as a user.


Quick Reference Table

Command কাজ
mkdir --help mkdir-এর help দেখায়
clear Terminal পরিষ্কার করে
alias c=clear Shortcut তৈরি করে
/etc/shadow Password থাকে
/etc/passwd User info থাকে
/etc/group Group info থাকে
tail -3 /etc/shadow Last 3 lines দেখায়
head -3 /etc/shadow First 3 lines দেখায়
cat /etc/group সব group দেখায়
cat /etc/passwd সব user দেখায়
cat /etc/shadow সব password দেখায়
whoami Current user দেখায়
pwd Current folder দেখায়
useradd --help useradd-এর help দেখায়
useradd kamal নতুন user তৈরি করে
passwd kamal Password set করে
sudo Super user হিসেবে চালায়
usermod -s /sbin/nologin kamal Login বন্ধ করে
usermod -s /bin/bash kamal Login চালু করে
history আগের commands দেখায়
su kamal kamal user-এ switch করে
exit Session বন্ধ করে
usermod -L kamal Account lock করে
usermod -U kamal Account unlock করে
usermod -e DATE kamal Expire date set করে

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