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Using the root User for Linux System Administration


  Article Summary:  Learn how to use Linux as the root user and learn Linux commands and concepts. Read free Linux articles. Watch free sample Linux vidoes now!  

There are often several Linux OS (operating system) terms that are similar, the same, or somehow related.

This article will clear up the confusion about the terms: root user, / (root directory) and /root (the home directory of the root user)!

First, you will learn about the root user, and then see a brief description of the / (root) directory and the /root (home directory) of the root user.

  Linux Training Tips:  The articles with names ending in "Linux Concepts & Terms" help you learn Linux "geek-speak" (terms).

By learning Linux terms (the Linux "lingo") you will be able to understand Linux concepts and more easily learn how to use Linux. This is an excellent way to start your Linux training.
 

The root User


To do Linux system administration tasks, like create Linux users and assign permissions to users, you work as the Linux user named root.

The root user has all permissions (rights, capabilities) to all of the Linux system, including all directories and files.

Linux users that are used for day-to-day tasks, like word processing and working on a spreadsheet, are referred to as "regular" or non-root users. When you're not doing Linux system administration tasks, always work as a non-root user.

When doing Linux system administration, work as the root user and be extremely careful running Linux commands - because you could damage or destroy your Linux installation - and then immediately log out!

The root user is also referred to as superuser (no, really, and you don't even get a cape!) and also referred to as su.

When you boot Linux to a console or terminal (and not a Linux desktop), you see a text (not GUI) Login: prompt and you can log in as root to do Linux administration tasks.

However, when you boot a Linux system that has a desktop, you log in at a GUI login prompt and then the Linux desktop appears.

For various security reasons, never log in to a Linux desktop as the root user.

Log in to the Linux desktop as a "regular" (non-root) user and then open a Linux terminal (terminal emulation window) on the desktop and use the su command with the - (dash) option to log in and work as the root user.

  Linux Training Tips:  The Linux su command gets its name from the word superuser.

The su command is run in a Linux terminal emulation window to log in and work as the root user, after logging in to a Linux desktop as a "regular" (non-root) user.

Again - Never log in to a Linux desktop as the root user.
 

  Linux Training Tips:  By default, the root user is locked (disabled, unusable) in Ubuntu Linux.

When you are doing Linux system administration tasks in Ubuntu Linux, you run the Linux sudo command along with Linux system administration commands, rather than logging in as root - or using the su command to log in as root.
 

Now, imagine how easy it will be to learn how to use Linux by seeing all these Linux terms and concepts being clearly presented in a Linux video tutorial!

  You can watch Free Sample Linux Videos at the end of this article!

 
  Watch the Ubuntu Linux (General) Training Videos, to learn how to: download the Linux operating system, install Linux, install Linux software, work at the Linux desktop - and more!

The "Linux Administration & Commands" videos show you how to download and run Linux in Windows, how to get to the Linux command line, and how to run over 100 - yes, really, over 100! - Linux commands, with lots of examples of using Linux command line options.
 

Similar Linux Terms: root user, / (root) directory in the Linux file system and /root (the home directory of the root user)

The / (root) Directory


The root directory of the Linux filesystem is represented (symbolized) by a / (forward slash). All directories in the Linux file system are "below", or "off of" the / (root) directory.

The /root Directory - The Home directory of the root User


The directory named root, located directly "below" or "off of" the / (root) directory, is the "home" directory of the root user.
 
  By the way . . . do you want to learn exactly how to use Linux and run Linux commands for Linux System Administration and get real, practical Linux training experience by running hundreds of examples of Linux commands?

Just click to download my new Linux commands training course book and Linux audio podcast (.mp3) files here: Linux Commands Training - 7 Step Mini-Course

Clyde Boom says "Learn how to use Linux commands with easy, self-paced Linux training materials that show you how to run hundreds of examples of the essential Linux system administration commands - and get that new and better job, promotion, raise - or keep your current job!"

You can get your instant access to my free Linux Commands Training Course at:

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