What's the difference between an Ubuntu Server and a Ubuntu Desktop? Is one of the differences of a Server vs a Desktop is that a Ubuntu Server runs in CLI while Ubuntu Desktop runs in GUI?

Does Ubuntu Desktop also has a CLI which I think is called a terminal?

Is GUI and CLI the same function wise? I mean the only difference is that GUI has an interface while CLI is only for commands?

Can anyone give me some reference books regarding a complete detail for linux? I mean everything from CLI to GUI because I'm really confused with this. From developing applications or software for CLI and GUI.

Thanks guys. Sorry if the question is so broad. Really don't know where to start. Can't find any useful reference in Google. All are very broad and doesn't guide me to specifics.

there is no "complete detail for linux". The GUI is a graphical user interface. It means you can have menus, windows, dialogs, pictures, effects . CLI means command line interface, you can only enter commands (some text and will be somehow interpreted).
Actually the modern terminals can handle mouse and there can be windows and menus, but restricted how can they display anything.
The GUI sometimes maps events to commands, but not for fully graphical application (like a game)

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In Linux (as opposed to Windows) it's usual to run servers without a GUI, since it makes it easier to debug problems with fewer things going on in the background. But if you want to run graphical software like Firefox, you obviously need a GUI. So, for home use you obviously want the desktop version.

I wouldn't try to read everything before starting: you won't understand it. The way to learn Linux is the way you learnt Windows: install, use, and look up things when you need to.

You might find these sites interesting
http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/
http://www.techradar.com/news/softwa...ommend-1090058

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Hi & Welcome to Linux Questions.

You could borrow this book from your local Library, if available or you could purchase it.

http://www.amazon.com/Ubuntu-Linux-B.../dp/0470038993

The Ubuntu Linux Bible By: William Von Hagen was good book when I was running Ubuntu.

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Thank you guys for your reply. I'll be looking on the links you posted. Anyway, I want to share my reason why I am confused in this.

I am a web developer and started with Windows OS. I wanted to try Linux because I know I can know more with this OS. So I've downloaded the latest Ubuntu Desktop and installed it in Virtual Box. Then while browsing still on the internet searching for LAMP, I've stumbled across Bitnami and saw a ready made Virtual Machine. I've downloaded it and installed it. Then I used it and saw it was only in CLI. Then I thought, what's the difference with this and Ubuntu Desktop? Is it only that the Desktop has GUI and this Virtual Machine is in CLI? Are both their functions the same (except for having an interface)? Is my Virtual Machine an Ubuntu Server or same as the Ubuntu Desktop? I thought and asked myself that is Ubuntu Desktop's terminal and the current CLI that I'm using in Virtual Machine the same?

I also wanted to install Linux in my other CPU but doesn't have a monitor. That's also the reason why I'm weighing my options between having a GUI or just use a CLI. If Ubuntu Desktop functions the same as my Virtual Machine (the one with CLI), then I might just install the one with GUI. As I've said, my other CPU doesn't have a monitor and I just wanted to connect to it via SSH. Does an Ubuntu with GUI can do many things while CLI can't and vice versa?

Sorry I have so many questions and they're so confusing. I really wanted to learn Linux. I just don't know where to start.

[QUOTE=markandrewkato;5194003]Thank you guys for your reply. I'll be looking on the links you posted. Anyway, I want to share my reason why I am confused in this.

I am a web developer and started with Windows OS. I wanted to try Linux because I know I can know more with this OS. So I've downloaded the latest Ubuntu Desktop and installed it in Virtual Box. Then while browsing still on the internet searching for LAMP, I've stumbled across Bitnami and saw a ready made Virtual Machine. I've downloaded it and installed it. Then I used it and saw it was only in CLI. Then I thought, what's the difference with this and Ubuntu Desktop? Is it only that the Desktop has GUI and this Virtual Machine is in CLI? Are both their functions the same (except for having an interface)? Is my Virtual Machine an Ubuntu Server or same as the Ubuntu Desktop? I thought and asked myself that is Ubuntu Desktop's terminal and the current CLI that I'm using in Virtual Machine the same?

I also wanted to install Linux in my other CPU but doesn't have a monitor. That's also the reason why I'm weighing my options between having a GUI or just use a CLI. If Ubuntu Desktop functions the same as my Virtual Machine (the one with CLI), then I might just install the one with GUI. As I've said, my other CPU doesn't have a monitor and I just wanted to connect to it via SSH. Does an Ubuntu with GUI can do many things while CLI can't and vice versa?

Sorry I have so many questions and they're so confusing. I really wanted to learn Linux. I just don't know where to start.

I started by installing Linux on my laptop used it everyday and did a lot of reading about commandline.
Start here:
http://linuxcommand.org/

Good luck!

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Ubuntu desktop is a desktop OS with a range of desktop (i.e. GUI) applications most people would use.

Ubuntu server is different to the regular desktop in that it does not have applications as such that you can see. Most Ubuntu server installations run what is called a LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, Mysql, php) and these things give you the user the basis of a server without the need for a GUI. You can add more server applications for things such as Printing if you desire as well all without the need for a GUI.

If you want to learn more about Ubuntu I recommend you take a look at the Ubuntu Documentation pages.

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One last question. Does the functionality of the terminal in ubuntu desktop has the same functions in ubuntu that is only CLI?

Dude...

u better use openS
http://www.opensuse.org/en/

or

fedora
http://fedoraproject.org/

DO NOT use buntus spyware !!!

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Ubuntu spyware is only in Unity. If the OP uses a different DE he will be fine.

Correct me if I'm wrong but do you mean that every Ubuntu has spyware?

Look here:
http://arstechnica.com/information-t...acks-searches/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXnfa0H30L4

No, I said the Unity version has it. If you are not using Unity you haven't got "lens" installed as far as I am aware.

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Yes, they are more or less the same, but (of course) you cannot start graphical apps from CLI but a terminal....

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