What is Linux?

Posted on Sep 2, 2008 01:15:06 AM

Linux is a free open-source operating system based on Unix. Linus Torvalds originally created Linux with the assistance of developers from around the sphere.

Linux is a kernel that provides access to the computer hardware and control access to resources. Kernel decides who will use resource, for how long and when. You can download Linux kernel from their official web site.

However, Linux kernel itself has no use until and unless you get all the applications such as text editors, email clients, browsers, office application etc. Therefore, someone comes with idea of Linux distribution. A typical Linux distribution includes:

* Linux kernel
* GNU application utilities such as text editors, browsers
* GUI (X windows)
* Office application software
* Software development tools and compilers
* Moreover, over thousands of ready to use application software packages
* Linux Installation programs/scripts
* Linux post installation management tools for day today life work such as adding users, installing application etc

Corporate and small business need support while using Linux, so companies such as Red Hat, Novell, provides Linux tech-support and sell it as product. Nevertheless, community driven Linux distribution do exists such as Debian, Gentoo and they are entirely free. To be frank there are over 200+ Linux distribution.