Your browser is blocking local storage, so your progress will be lost when you close or reload this page.

Operating systems, the command line and the configuration that surrounds your code.

Topics

• Windows for DevelopersExpected level: Working

  Understand file systems, paths, permissions, and developer-focused OS features.

  Not reviewed
• Linux for DevelopersExpected level: Working

  Understand the Linux file system layout, users, permissions, processes, and services.

  Not reviewed
• Windows vs Linux DifferencesExpected level: Working

  Know the practical differences: path separators, drive letters, case sensitivity, line endings, permissions, and package managers.

  Not reviewed
• Command Line BasicsExpected level: Proficient

  Navigate folders, manipulate files, run programs, and pipe and redirect output in Command Prompt, PowerShell, and Bash, and know which commands belong to which.

  Not reviewed
• Linux on Windows (WSL)Expected level: Awareness

  Run a Linux environment on a Windows workstation and move files between the two safely.

  Not reviewed
• Environment VariablesExpected level: Working

  Learn how configuration is separated from code and varies between environments.

  Not reviewed

Self-assessment

You should be able to do each of these without help.

• Navigate, create, copy, move, and delete files and folders from the terminal, in cmd, PowerShell, and Bash. You should be able to do this without a file explorer, including for paths that contain spaces.Related: Command Line Basics
• Chain commands with a pipe and redirect output to a file in each shell. For example, filter a long command output down to the lines you need and save the result.Related: Command Line Basics
• Explain absolute vs relative paths. Be able to say which kind of path a script depends on and why it might break on another machine.Related: Command Line Basics, Windows vs Linux Differences
• Set an environment variable for the current session and permanently, and read it from a program. Keep local settings and secrets in a .env file that stays out of Git.Related: Environment Variables
• Describe the main differences between Windows and Linux (paths, case sensitivity, line endings, permissions). Know which of them cause a script that works on your machine to fail on a server.Related: Windows vs Linux Differences
• List running processes and stop one on both operating systems. Use this to find a program that is holding a port or has stopped responding.Related: Command Line Basics, Windows for Developers, Linux for Developers, Networking Basics