How to create an ISO Image File in Linux ( without any software )

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What is an ISO image?

In the context of files and programs, an "image", whether an ISO, floppy, or other media image, is simply a file that can be used as a virtually identical copy of the original media. This file not only contains individual data files, but it also contains track and sector information and arranges all this information in a file system, just like disk media. Image files, unlike normal files, are usually not opened; rather, they are mounted.

How to create an ISO image from optical media

1. In this example, we're going to copy the contents of a disk in the CD/DVD drive (/dev/cdrom) to an ISO image file. Open a terminal window and type the following at the command line.
dd if=/dev/cdrom of=/directory/example.iso Notations:
                 - dd is the program used to convert and copy a file.
                 - if defines an input file.
                 - of defines an output file.
                 - iso is the resulting ISO image file.

Create an ISO image from files in a directory

2. To create an ISO image from files within a directory is just as simple. State an output directory and name of the ISO to create, along with a source directory. For example:
mkisofs -o /home/linuxlookup/example.iso /source/directory/