I'm 43 and just bought my first MacBook. I started reading a book on Python and it had me open a terminal window and use commands like LS and CD. These were new to me and I learned they are Linux commands. So are Apple computers Linux computers and if not why are Linux commands used in the terminal window? Or are Apple computers/terminal windows Linux-like, a new term I've come across? Today is day one so I hope that explains why this question is probably very basic. Thanks for your help.
They’re actually Unix commands. macOS is a BSD Unix derivative and Linux happens to use similar syntax because it let you take advantage of existing Unix applications and syntax. The reason they chose BSD over Linux was Apple was unwilling to deal with the GNU public license text implications, which doesn’t apply to BSD.
With the introduction of systemd, recent versions of Linux have strayed away from its Unix roots and become something more like Windows in philosophy; not an improvement IMHO.
Great information, thank you! I suppose I need to look into Unix commands if I want to navigate a terminal session like a pro.
The thing you want to look into is POSIX. It's a specification for the required functionality of a unix system. Different systems may have additional features and they technically don't have to be a traditional Unix/Unix-like system, Microsoft once halfassed POSIX compliance into windows for a government contract. Also when looking up commands it's easier to look at "Linux" commands as there's more information available.
I'd (also) look for MacOS terminal commands because some of them are Mac-unique and may not show up in guides you find on generic Unix commands. Although the generic Unix ones (like ls, cd, cp, mv, rm) might be good to start with.