Choosing CLI over GUI is all about speed and control. It’s efficient for tasks that need precision without distractions.
Choosing CLI over GUI is all about speed and control. It’s efficient for tasks that need precision without distractions.
So, a few fellow users, like @ Colonel_Gerdauf and @patrickjp93, have been talking about the contrasts between Command Line Interface and Graphical User Interface. My take: There are still some aspects in today’s tech that make the CLI useful. For example, fixing a deleted boot sector or starting a partition on a hard drive with an exact copy—something Wendell explains here, which couldn’t be done without the CLI. I’d suggest checking that video, because it highlights: A. The strength of the command line in tough scenarios B. Wendell’s impressive wizard abilities (probably just a joke). I believe the CLI is mostly outdated. I’m careful to say it’s not completely obsolete, but only because of a few key points. I’m open to the idea that certain tasks are better handled by CLI than GUI ever could. In fact, there are situations where manual command entry beats trying every possible GUI option—especially when you’re scrolling through dozens of menus. Of course, CLI is way more powerful and detailed than GUI. My reasoning is straightforward: for most everyday tasks, GUI wins. I won’t list every nuance, but I’m sure you’ll agree that CLI has its limits. There are definitely areas where it shines, but overall, I think GUI is better for most users. Now, regarding CLI fans who mention resource usage for GUI—honestly, I don’t see much value. With modern hardware, the claim that GUI consumes too many resources feels unrealistic (and I’m new to this). Using a cheap GPU in a server setup for basic file work or text editing seems completely unreasonable. My note: The VM we use is pretty basic, and the editors are clunky—making mistakes feels frustrating. Trying to run a GUI with minimal resources just doesn’t make sense. Disclaimer: My experience is limited. The lab we use has some basic shortcomings, and the man pages don’t explain things clearly. Sometimes they give commands in pairs without detailing options, which confuses newcomers. I’m not sure if context matters much here, and I wish the course materials would have been more precise.
'-' typically indicates an optional parameter in a running program. -f suggests the function is testing a file, while -d indicates it targets a directory. This relates to how the program interacts with its environment. /dev/ttyS0 represents the target device and file you're trying to access, and /tmp is an optional change directory for retesting. The API behaves in a simple way if the command is just a file path, or more clearly if it follows an if-else structure. The textbook should mainly offer short notes and examples, as Linux documentation is often extensive. I've never encountered a textbook that omitted the 'man' reference entirely.
I followed your comments carefully and grasped your perspective. I completely agree that a graphical interface suits everyday tasks better, but mastering the command line is essential for diving into an IT field like networking. It provides a deeper insight into how the computer functions, the hardware constraints you’ll encounter, and the software or kernel-level challenges you might face. You must grasp how the CLI operates, its limitations, and possible solutions to those issues. This reflects a core engineering idea: when you have one strong horse instead of ten, figure out how to make the most of it without relying on extra help. A crucial point is realizing that industrial computers differ significantly from the PCs you use at home—there are many operational differences. Also, servers lack the same redundancy as personal PCs. When handling large data sets or continuous processing, every CPU and GPU frequency matters. The performance demands in these sectors far exceed what you see in consumer technology. Don’t be too hard on yourself if it feels overwhelming; simply accept the constraints and work within them to achieve your goals. If you’re still finding it hard, it might be time to reassess your study path.
Will let you know within an hour and a half. Right now I'm wrapping up some assignments.
I'm not a tech expert, just someone who looks up information and applies basic reasoning. I rarely use the command line on Windows except to format drives during setup to avoid extra partitions on the boot disk. On Linux, I'm increasingly relying on the CLI since it feels quicker than navigating through many folders in the interface. As for Wendell, he definitely has some impressive skills.
A GUI on a Linux server would be unnecessary... You’d have to arrange a method to reach that interface remotely, like VNC, which is inferior compared to RDP on Windows and less secure than SSH... Even though you can route VNC through SSH, it adds more layers of difficulty to the configuration. Right now, you won’t find a GUI installed on Linux servers in any major enterprise setup. Mastering the CLI for Linux is crucial because it will likely be your only viable path in your career. Learning it is essential, or you should focus on Windows administration only. If you’re unsure about the commands and they seem confusing, remember that someone who hasn’t touched a computer would also interpret GUI as nonsense. Acquiring GUI skills isn’t natural; if you can grasp the GUI, you can master the command line. Knowing you must navigate to service, right-click the web server, and click restart is something you had to memorize. On the command line, you simply type commands like “systemctl restart httpd” or “service apache2 restart.” No one is born knowing these; they must be learned. The most effective way to become proficient is by doing practical tasks—set up a VPS on DigitalOcean or Linode, configure a web server, and follow step-by-step tutorials. Engaging in hands-on exercises is the best method to understand. Once you’re done, dismantle the server and attempt to manage it without following instructions. Then progress to more complex systems like a mail server with Postfix/Dovecot and MySQL. On Windows, GUIs are usually preferable, though certain operations remain simpler in PowerShell or Exchange Management Shell.
Servers running RHEL typically lack a graphical interface. You often relied on the command-line interface alongside Linux GUI for tasks such as configuring network services. I hope you can gain a more authentic feel for CLI operations instead of using the current, less functional tools.
It isn't that way, you must install the packages first, then activate it using another command which restarts the system. You can also execute a CLI-only version of Ubuntu; the commands differ based on your needs. To clarify my message about efficiency, consider Tiny Core Linux: http://www.tinycorelinux.net. The Core version includes only the command-line interface of the kernel and uses under 10 MB of storage (Ubuntu, by contrast, requires at least 700 MB). The TinyCore version offers only basic drivers (such as Ethernet) and a GUI, occupying just 16 MB. CorePlus, adding more drivers like wireless support, takes up 80 MB. When booting from an HDD: Ubuntu takes about 20 seconds CorePlus about 6 seconds TinyCore around 5 seconds Core less than 2 seconds. Picture the performance on an SSD...
Based on my background with Windows 7 and a standard processor, an SSD would last only a few cycles—about 20 seconds to boot up. Once logged in, it’s impressive how quickly I reach the login screen. The drive holds roughly 700 megabytes, which feels quite limited today. I still find CLI useful for certain tasks, but for everyday things like moving files or creating documents, it doesn’t seem necessary. In a server setup, I appreciate that every bit counts, but with USB 3.0 and other upgrades, the OS can run smoothly on HDD storage too. Observing system performance is another thing—I haven’t seen anything “live” in Linux that moves too quickly to interpret easily. GUI offers visual data that’s easier to grasp, avoiding the need to scroll through CLI history. Outside of consumer hardware, I’m aware my current setup is more capable than the one running our virtual machines. My machine has more RAM and a faster CPU (double speed, though it has fewer cores). I’m still struggling to grasp how GUI consumes so many system resources, especially when the OS is running smoothly. If you’re investing heavily in server infrastructure, what’s the point of spending $50 on a GPU when CPUs don’t have integrated graphics? (I assume server CPUs lack built-in GPUs.) To sum up, I’m trying to understand what I’ll be dealing with, and I’m learning CLI slowly—it’s rewarding when it finally functions after long periods of using the GUI.
You're focusing on what matters for your needs. In business settings, storage space is tight. The fewer resources you need—like RAM, CPU, and disk space—the more virtual machines you can fit on a single host. For example, choosing between 40GB and 80GB of storage can easily cost more than $20 a month. Let's say you need to create a folder called "example.com" in "/var/www" with three subfolders: public_html, logs, and backups. Using the command line is straightforward: `sudo mkdir -p /var/www/example.com/{public_html,logs,backups}` and then setting the owner. Or you can open a file manager, navigate to the directory, create each folder step by step. It might seem simple, but it still takes more time than a quick GUI action. The CLI also lets you move files of the same type quickly—like copying all CSS files to a specific location with one command. You can also install web servers easily via package managers or direct installation, saving time compared to searching through folders. For tasks like logs or performance tracking, third-party tools with web interfaces often work better than trying to manage everything manually. In many cases, the CLI is just as fast, especially with features like tab completion. For things like monitoring or managing resources over time, specialized software usually provides a better experience.
For practical use, try setting up a cloud service like Linode or DigitalOcean and run your site entirely with the CLI. Then move on to other tasks. Gaining real-world experience with actual projects will show you the clear benefits of using the command line.
And remember, tools like PhpMyAdmin or Webmin add extra features but often come with a learning curve. The CLI remains the most efficient for everyday work.