Every command seemed like a challenge, and every error alert felt like a cryptic puzzle.
But then I got hold of a secret weaponChatGPT.
It transformed my Linux journey for good.
Lucas Gouveia / How-To Geek
Sure, you have official documentation, manual pages, dedicated blogs, and manyeducational websites for learning Linux.
Firstly, it’s not easy to always understand the documentation.
Secondly, you may not always find the exact answer you’re looking for.
But that’s where AI tools such as ChatGPT come into play.
They can explain stuff at the same level as your understanding.
you’re able to continue to ask questions until you fully understand something or get your solution.
One caution though.AI chatbots can hallucinate.
Not to mention, the authors often don’t write them in a beginner-friendly language.
With ChatGPT, it’s possible for you to break down intricate Linux concepts into digestible, easy-to-understand explanations.
you might even ask follow-up questions or ask for further elaboration on specific points.
This makes your learning more interactive, engaging, and less intimidating.
It talked aboutinodes, which I wasn’t quite familiar with.
So I asked for more explanation on that point.
No need to do multiple Google searches.
Here’s an example where I asked ChatGPT toexplain kernels.
Understanding Linux Commands in Depth
Part of using Linux involves learning the command line andimportant Linux commands.
Whetherusing the terminal is a must on Linuxis a different discussion.
you might continue asking about each option or flag that comes with a command to fully grasp its usage.
For example, I’d like to learn how to usethe mkfs command.
I start by asking what this command is for and when I need it.
Sometimes, there will be no explanation of what that command does.
you might copy the command and ask ChatGPT what it does before you run it on your Linux system.
But ChatGPT now makes it easy to understand.
Here’s another example.
This command is useful for cleaning up old log files.
At first glance, it’s difficult to understand.
But ChatGPT can break down the command and explain which part is doing what.
Fun fact, with a bit of prompting, you could use ChatGPT as a Linux terminal simulator.
A Reddit user namedcyb3rofficialshared a long prompt that could turn your ChatGPT conversation into a Linux terminal session.
Here’s the prompt:
I want you to act as a Linux terminal.
I will bang out commands and you will reply with what the terminal should show.
I want you to only reply with the terminal output inside one unique code block, and nothing else.
Do not write explanations.
Do not throw in commands unless I instruct you to do so.
My first command is pwd.
While you’re free to find solutions for most errors online, the information can often be outdated.
I’ve personally found many top Google search results from seven to even 12 years old.
As you’d expect, these solutions don’t work anymore.
That’s because you’re using a different system than the one they were providing solutions for.
But ChatGPT and other AI tools are usually up-to-date with modern systems and technologies.
So you’re free to expect solutions better suited to your system.
you’re able to start your conversation with ChatGPT by asking about these things.
Then, of course, you might ask ChatGPT for different methods of solving the issue.
you could share that solution with ChatGPT and ask it to tweak the solution for your distro.
That’s not the case.
Frominstalling softwareandmonitoring processestonavigating the system, and configuring the parameters.
For example, on Windows, you haveTask Managerto monitor current processes and resource usage.
But how do you do the same on Linux?
Let’s ask ChatGPT.
So it gives you all the Linux alternatives to Task Manager.
Creating Bash Scripts to Automate Tasks
One of the most powerful features of Linux isautomating tasksthroughBash scripting.
However, for both new and old Linux users, writing scripts in an unknown language may seem daunting.
But you don’t need to learn Bash when you have ChatGPT by your side.
Talk about saving time to save more time!
Again, I’ll have to remind you though.
ChatGPT can make mistakes.
And when it comes to running code or scripts on a real system, you should be more cautious.
Navigating Linux With ChatGPT
Embracing Linux no longer means you oughta do it alone.
