Linux Tutorial Series for VLSI Beginners

Module 1: Getting Started with Linux

• Understanding directories and file structures
  
• Commands: ls, cd, pwd, mkdir
  
• Hidden files, home directory shortcuts (~, ., ..)
  
• Exercises with real examples
  

Module 2: File Management in Linux

• Copying, moving, and deleting files: cp, mv, rm, rmdir
  
• Viewing file contents: cat, less, head, tail
  
• Searching inside files: grep, wc
  
• Practice tasks for EDA log file navigation
  

Module 3: Input/Output Redirection and Pipes

• Standard input, output, and error
  
• Redirecting with >, >>, <, 2>
  
• Using pipes | for connecting commands
  
• Real-world examples: filtering logs, saving results
  

Module 4: Wildcards, Filename Conventions, and Getting Help

• Using *, ?, {} in filenames
  
• Safe file naming conventions
  
• man, whatis, and apropos for help
  
• Hands-on tips for tool commands
  

Module 5: File Permissions and Process Management

• Understanding file access: r, w, x bits
  
• Changing permissions: chmod
  
• Running jobs in background: &, bg, fg, kill
  
• Practical uses in simulation control
  

Module 6: Disk Space and File Utilities

• Checking disk quota: du, df, homeusage
  
• Compressing files: gzip, gunzip
  
• Searching files: find, locate
  
• Downloading via wget
  

Module 7: Environment Variables

• Viewing and modifying environment variables: env, echo, export
  
• Customizing .bashrc
  
• Editing PATH for EDA tools setup
  

Module 8: Software Compilation and Installation

• Extracting and compiling open-source software (tar, make, configure)
  
• Installation paths using –prefix
  
• Stripping binaries for optimization
  
• Use case: building and running small Linux utilities
  

Module 9: Shell Scripting Basics

• Writing your first bash script
  
• Variables, loops, and conditionals (for, if)
  
• Automating log checks or run sequences
  
• Real-world example: automating simulation runs