Linux is an open-source Unix-like operating system that was first released on September 17, 1991, by Linus Torvalds. It is a modular operating system that uses a monolithic kernel, the Linux kernel, which handles process control, networking, access to peripherals, and file systems. Device drivers are either integrated directly with the kernel or added as modules that are loaded while the system is running. Linux is the leading operating system on servers, leads other big iron systems such as mainframe computers, and is used on all of the worlds 500 fastest supercomputers. Linux is also used in many other devices such as phones, thermostats, cars, refrigerators, Roku devices, and televisions.
An operating system is software that manages all of the hardware resources associated with your desktop or laptop. The operating system manages the communication between your software and your hardware. Without the operating system, the software wouldn’t function. The Linux operating system comprises several different pieces, including the bootloader, the software that manages the boot process of your computer, and the Linux kernel, which manages hardware resources. The Linux OS follows a modular design that is the key to its many variations and distributions. All Linux distributions are based on the Linux kernel, but they can differ depending on factors such as kernel version, software packages, and user interface.
Linux is similar to other operating systems such as Windows, macOS, and iOS in many ways. It has a graphical interface and the same types of software you are accustomed to, such as word processors, photo editors, video editors, and so on. In many cases, a software’s creator may have made a Linux version of the same program you use on other systems. However, Linux is different from other operating systems in many important ways. First, and perhaps most importantly, Linux is open-source software. The code used to create Linux is free and available to the public to view, edit, and contribute to.
