What is Linux? - Operating System

What is Linux? - Operating System

What is a Linux operating system?

Linux is an operating system. The main thing that you just need to realize is that in the Linux world, the software that you will be running is of a completely different type, compared to the ones that you would run in the Windows operating system. 

Desktop applications like Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop are not usually run on a Linux environment. Linux normally runs servers—Apache web servers, database servers, web virtualization servers, etc.

However, there are various Linux distributions out there that are specifically made for personal desktop computers. 

These Linux distributions are, in a way, similar to Windows and Mac OS, in a sense that they run the same types of programs like Word Processing programs, photo and video editing programs, web browsing applications, program development applications, games, etc. 

These Linux distributions are more targeted to home users who just want a free operating system alternative.

Also, Read - What is an operating system?

A brief history of Linux

Linux was not an operating system, however. Linux was a kernel created

by Linus Torvalds (he was a student at the University of Helsinki). 

The Kernel is essential, but by itself, it is useless. It can only work with a complete operating system. The Linux Kernel was used in combination with the GNU operating system. 

Imagine GNU as a big complex puzzle with a big piece in the middle missing—the big piece being the Linux Kernel. The complete puzzle made a working operating system.

NOTE:- A Kernel is the central part of an operating system that joint all your application to the hardware.

Linux Distribution (also called distro)

There are 200+ Linux distribution available in the market. Each distro has its own unique feature and designed for some special purpose.

From where these Linux distros came? 

After Linus Torvalds created Linux back in the 1990s, he wanted to stop working

for a little bit. 

So, what he did was he made the source code for his new operating system completely available to the public. This allowed everybody in the world, especially computer geeks, scientists, etc., to start playing with and changing the Linux operating system as they saw fit.

Major companies and educational institutions decided they liked Linux. And since

Linux is open source, they are able to see the source code. 

This gave them the ability to start creating their own versions.

People from all over the started creating their own operating system by modifying the open-source code of Linux. 

Thus a lot of distros came into the world. Making Linux’s source code available to the public facilitated the creation of something called distributions or “distros.” Distributions are the various versions of Linux that people have created over time.

There are many different versions of Linux that are out there. Different distributions have different capabilities. 

Now, when you need to decide which Linux distribution you want to use, you are going to have to think about what you want your computer to do first with Linux. Some Linux distros are Red Hat Linux, Ubuntu Linux, Google Android, and many more.

Some Famous Linux Distributions List

Ubuntu

Debian

CentOs

Fedora

Red Hat

Arch Linux

SUSE

Linux distros

Linux is an open-source operating system 

Now, you are thinking "What is open-source operating system?" right?

Open-source operating systems are those which can be used by any person or industry without paying any money for that OS.

Open-source Operating systems are free of cost that means you don't need to pay any money for OS, You just need to download Operating system files online and install it in your computer.

While you need to pay for windows and mac operating system.

Linux Benefits

Free Os (Open source)

No need to pay any money for a Linux operating system it's free for all while other operating systems like windows and mac you have to pay.

Speed

Linux Os runs very fast because it does not contain complex and bounded software. Linux is light weighted and contains moderate space for program files.

Secure

Linux does not require ant-virus because there is no virus made for Linux Operating systems. As Linux users are very less than Windows so people/company do not make virus for Linux because they know that it is not profitable.

Helpful for programmers

Linux is an open-source Os that means you can edit programs and appliction that is came with Linux os. Programmers and developers can easily modify programs, take advantage of compile direct codes and easy to use perform coding tasks.

Fewer Data in Os

Linux os came with less data, and do not contain a bunch of files like window contains. User can easily perform a basic task with it.

Are you a Linux user? Or Planning to install Linux in your computer?