If you’re a software engineer, adding Linux as a skill or adding a Linux certification to your resume can give you an edge over other applicants. In an increasingly competitive field, this helps improve the probability of you getting selected for the job you applied for. 

Now, if you’re a computer graduate looking for a job, Linux is a must. From cloud interactions to building apps for Android (because Android is based on Linux), you have to have at least a basic knowledge of how to interact with the operating system in a terminal.

Furthermore, a huge chunk of the web is powered by Linux, as the OS is usually the first choice to run data centres for its efficiency and stability. This means that positions like network engineer, cybersecurity specialist, and more become open to you.

Knowing vs Learning Linux 

Linux is one of the most powerful operating systems in the world. It is not only helpful in getting you a job but also gives you total control over how you want your computer to behave. 

The demand for Linux skills is consistently high. According to the 2021 Open Source Jobs Report from the Linux Foundation, Linux is the second most sought-after skill after cloud technologies, which often also requires Linux knowledge.

Every major cloud platform, including AWS, GCP, and Azure, heavily relies on Linux. So, while cloud skills are in higher demand, a solid understanding of Linux is necessary to work effectively with these cloud technologies.

Linux is a fundamental component of DevOps practices and cloud computing. 

Think of it for a second! Let’s say you want to use Docker on Windows; guess what? It used WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux). Want to use Docker on Mac? It’s already a UNIX operating system and works fundamentally the same as Linux but with some restrictions. 

Furthermore, Linux is a fundamental skill for cybersecurity professionals. Many essential security tools, such as Metasploit, Nmap, and Wireshark, are built for Linux systems. 

Linux skills are also vital for conducting vulnerability assessments, as scanners like Nessus and OpenVAS have native support for Linux platforms.

Linus converts are of the same opinion. One user on Reddit posted that even if his workload didn’t require Linux, one Windows update corrupted his entire drive, and when he switched to Linux, he realised what software freedom meant.

“Don’t learn Linux to make money or to get a better job. Do it because you deserve the feeling of freedom and fun that Windows has deprived you of,” he declared.  

Another reason is that when you use Linux, you are exposed to how a computer works from its core, and that feeling alone is a reason for most users to switch to the operating system. 

Organisations Love Linux

The prime reason why organisations love Linux is because it’s free. This is in comparison to the Windows Server 2022 Standard Edition (used for physical or minimal virtualised environments), which starts from $1,069, and the Datacenter Edition, which starts from $6,155.

Apart from the cost, there are other reasons as well for learning Linux.

Linux can be configured on the kernel level, and you can load only the required modules, making it the perfect choice for a specific use case. Eventually, it takes fewer resources and does the given task a lot faster. 

Extensive hardware support makes Linux the most versatile OS on the planet. It can be configured to run on refrigerators, cars, and power card-sized computers such as Raspberry Pi.

Security and privacy are the most crucial aspects of using Linux. Most malware and spyware are made for Windows, as it has the largest desktop computer share. But on Linux, you don’t require any antivirus software, as everything is managed through scripts and can not be executed without specific permissions.

Because of its compatibility, big tech companies often create their own versions of Linux. For example, Amazon has Amazon Linux 2, specifically crafted for AWS needs.

As mentioned earlier, even Android is a highly customised version of Linux developed by Google. The framework for apps is entirely different, but it runs Linux at its core. This is why if you’ve ever looked through a security patch, it usually has mention of SE in its name, indicating LinuxSE (Security Enhanced Linux).

In conclusion, learn Linux, even if your work profile does not require it. Linux is one of those things that you don’t think you’ll need until you realise you need it the most. Freedom, hardware choices, and privacy were the three key features that led me to use Linux.

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