What is Linux?

December 8, 2021 by Pythontpoint

In this tutorial, we will learn about What is Linux? and we will also cover different examples related to Linux. And, we will cover these topics.

What is Linux?
Evolution of Linux OS
Structure Of Linux Operating System
Why use Linux?
How does Linux work?
How to use Linux?

What is Linux?

In this section, the questionaries what is Linux?. Linux is an open-source operating system that helps us to perform tasks and run the processes as we do in windows and MAC operating systems. Whereby operating system we mean software which helps to communicate or make the connection between the hardware and the software.

As time is changing people are switching them to Linux as it is used everywhere from a wristwatch to a supercomputer and also in laptops, mobiles, pc, etc. By its name and functionality, it is very famous among developers and normal computer users.

Evolution of Linux OS

In the mid of ’90s, Linux was developed by Linus Torvalds 1991. The idea behind the development of Linux was to improve the Unix OS. He tried to convince with the design but the designer of the Unix team has rejected his Idea and that rejection makes him launch a new OS that he wants to design as per the user requirement that can be modified.

We can visualize that the technology has made a vast turn and with help of Linux, it is everywhere from using that into our phones, laptops, Cars, Refrigerators, etc.

Structure Of Linux Operating System

An operating system is a collection of Softwares where each software is designed to perform a specific task or a function.

Below, we are explaining the following components of Linux:

What is Linux? Structure Of Linux Operating System — **Structure Of Linux Operating System**

Kernel

The kernel is the core part of the operating system. It builds the communication between the hardware and the software and it also manages the system resources.

The kernel has its own responsibilities which are given below:

Device management
Memory management
Process management
Handling system calls

Device management:

In a system, it is combined with many devices such as CPU, memory devices, sound card, graphics card, etc. In Kernel, it stores all the data related to the device into the device driver. Here we can understand that the kernel knows what a device can do to give the best performance. It also manages to make the communication between all the devices.

Memory management:

Memory management is another responsibility that the kernel manages. In this, it keep the track of all the used or unused memory and also checks and make sure that the processed shouldn’t manipulate the data of each other using the virtual memory address.

Process management:

In Process Management kernel assigns enough time for each and every process before it is handled by the CPU to other processes. Process Management also deals with security.

Handling system calls:

By Handling system calls, we mean that a programmer can write a query or ask a kernel to perform the task.

System Libraries

The system libraries are the particular program that helps to access the kernel features. To perform the task in the kernel it has to be triggered by the application but here application must know the process how to make the system call as each kernel has a different set of system calls.

The most common system library used by Linux is Glibc (GNU C Library).

System Tools

Linux has a set of tools that usually has simple commands. It is a software in which the GNU projects are published under the open-source license which helps the user to avail this software without paying.

Commands play the important role in Linux with the help of commands we can edit the files, directories, and even change the location path.

Development Tools

In the above three components, we can work and run our OS but there are also requirements for the update, and for this, we have some additional tools and libraries. These additional libraries are written by the programmers and known as the toolchain. The developers use the vital development tool to produce the working applications and this tool is also called a toolchain.

End-User Tools

In the End-user tools, it is defined as the set of methods and techniques. It is not required for an operating system but it is built for the users.

To run this type of tool there is no need to be a developer any unprofessional can work over this and take the advantage of this tool.

Example:

Media players, Browsers, Office suites, Graphic design tools, etc.

Why use Linux?

Linux is a free and open-source operating system that is available for any user and can be downloaded from its official sites. It is very fast performing and secure. If any user wants to get rid of viruses, malware, slow-downs, crashes, and costly repair then Linux may be the best operating system that can be used and run by the user. There are Some Features of Linux which might attract you to switch from your current operating system to the Linux operating system.

Features of Linux

Free & Open Source Operating System:

Linux is a free and open-source operating system that is available for any user and can be downloaded from its official sites. In this, the source code is available with the compiled version and also allows to do modification if a user has some basic knowledge.

In the less, we can say that Linux is “for the people and by the people.“

It is secure:

Linux provides us the various security options which provide us from viruses, malware, slow-downs, crashes, and it keeps our data protected. Security is the main reason why people are switching them to Linux as data protection is very important in today’s world. If somehow any third party tries to add the virus it can’t be executed until permission is being granted by the administrator.

Favorable choice of Developers:

If we ask any Developer to choose between the linux and the window operating system then developer will choose the linux only as it finds that terminal are very easy to work as compare to command line. In Linux the package manager also helps the developers how the task are performed.The SSH helps to manage the servers quickly.

A flexible operating system:

The Linux Operating systems are very flexible and they can be used as desktop applications, mobile applications, and server applications. In Today’s world, Linux is used from wristwatches to supercomputers.

How does Linux work?

Linux was based on the Unix OS. It is working from desktop applications to server applications and from wristwatches to supercomputers. Linux- based OS has the Linux kernel and the set of packages to manage the hardware resources.

How to use Linux?

We can use Linux by working on the CLI which stands for Command Line interface and also on terminals. Linux has different distributions but here commands are almost the same and can be used on other distributions also. To run the Linux from the terminal we used the shortcut key “CTRL+ALT+t” and move forward to explore the functionalities of the Linux.

So, in this tutorial, we discussed What is Linux? and we have also covered different topics related to Linux. Here is the list of topics that we have covered.