what is gnu

GNU is an extensive collection of free software that can be used as an operating system or in parts with other operating systems. The name "GNU" is a recursive acronym for "GNUs Not Unix," chosen because GNUs design is Unix-like, but differs from Unix by being free software and containing no Unix code. The development of GNU made it possible to use a computer without software that would trample users freedom. GNU is typically used in combination with the Linux kernel, and the whole system is basically GNU with Linux added, or GNU/Linux. The GNU Project has developed a comprehensive set of free software tools for use with Unix and Unix-like operating systems such as Linux. GNU/Linux is an operating system made up of different OS components and services that create the Linux OS, and it provides users with immense freedom of choice in their software.