The command line can be an intimidating and unforgiving environment. Unlike working in graphical environments, it's not entirely clear what commands one must execute in a terminal to accomplish a given task. Couple this with the fact that the command line does not prevent you from doing things that might cause irreparable damage to your system, and it becomes clear why many people never take the time to learn how to use it.

Despite the hidden dangers and uncertainty faced by new users (known jokingly as "newbies" in the technology industry), you shouldn't fear the command line. Armed with the information in this book you will acquire the skills necessary to become more proficient in the command line environment. You will discover that most Unix, Linux, and BSD systems share the same core architecture, with only a few subtle differences. After learning the basic architecture and commands of Unix, Linux, and BSD systems you will easily be able to transition between the different platforms.