Linux is also an open-source operating system like other operating systems like Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS, iOS, Google Android etc.
What is Operating System :
Operating system is a software that makes communication between computer hardware and software. It gives input through the processor and uses hardware to show its output. This is the basic function of the operating system. However, it also performs many other important functions.
Linux came into our midst from the mid-90s. It can be used from wrist watch to super computer. It is everywhere in our phones, laptops, computers, cars and even refrigerators. It is very popular among developers and normal computer users.
The best thing about Linux is that it can be easily used on any computer or device. However, its installation process is a bit complicated.
History of linux :
In earlier days computers were as big as houses or rooms. It was very much dificult for the users to operate them. In addition, each computer had a different operating system, which required separate learning to operate on them. Each software was designed for a specific purpose and could not work on other computers. It was very expensive and common people could not buy or understand it.
In 1969 a team of developers from Bell Labs started a project to create a common software for all computers and it was named 'Unix'. It was simple and good looking, used 'C' language instead of assembly language and its code could be reused.
While it was re-usable, a part of its code, now commonly called the 'kernel', was used to develop the operating system and other functions, and could be used on different systems. could. Also its source code was open source.
Initially, Unix was only used by government, universities, or large financial organizations with mainframes and minicomputers (PC is a microcomputer).
In the eighties, IBM, HP and many other big companies started making their own Unix. The result of this was that there was a disturbance in Unix. Then in 1983, Richard Stallman developed the GNU project with the goal of making a Unix-like operating system available for free and used by all. But his project could not become very popular. Several other Unix-like operating systems followed, but none became popular.
In 1991, Linus Torvalds, a student at the University of Helsinki in Finland, thought of making a free academic version of Unix available and started writing his own code. Later this project became Linux Kernel. He wrote this program specially for his computer because he wanted to use Unix 386 Intel computer but he was unable to buy it. He did this on MINIX using the GNU C compiler. The GNU C compiler is still used primarily in Linux code, but other compilers are also used.
It was started just for fun. Earlier wanted to name it 'Freaks' but later it became 'Linux'.
Linus Torvalds published the Linux kernel with his own license and refused to use it in business. In 1992, the GNU General Public License was released, which was for the general public.
Today, Linux OS is used in supercomputers, smartphones, desktops, web servers, tablets, laptops and home appliance devices such as washing machines, DVD players, routers, modems, cars, refrigerators, etc.
To put it simply, the Linux OS was developed in 1991 by Linus Torvalds, who came out with the idea of improving the UNIX OS. Linus Torvalds suggested improving Unix, but the Unix designers refused to accept it. So, Linus Torvalds thought of launching an OS, which was designed in such a way that any user can modify it according to their own needs.
Nowadays, Linux is the fastest growing OS. It is used in almost all major hardware devices from phones to supercomputers.
Why should we use Linux?
It is One of the most important asked questions about Linux that is why should we use this. If we have a simple operating system like Windows then why do we use a different and slightly complicated operating system?
Linux has many different features that make it completely different and it is one of the most widely used operating systems. Linux is the perfect operating system if you want to get rid of viruses, malware, system slowness, system crashes, and so on.
Apart from this, there are many advantages towards using Linux and we do not even have to pay for it, as it is absolutely free. Let's look at some of the special features of the Linux:
1. free and open source operating system :
Most OSes come in a compiled format that runs a program called a compiler that converts the source code into a language that the computer can understand. Modifying this compiled code is a very difficult task.
On the other hand, open-source is completely different. In open-source, the source code is included with the compiled version and those who have knowledge of it can modify it according to their own. It gives us freedom to run the program, freedom to change the code according to our use, freedom to modify and redistribute its copies.
We can use Linux without any cost. We can install it on multiple machines at no cost.
2. Secure
Linux supports different security options which protect you from many problems like virus, malware, system slow down, system crash, system hang.
In addition, it keeps your data safe. Its security is the main reason why it is the most preferred for developers. It is not completely secure, but it is more secure than other OS.
In Windows, many viruses and other files are started automatically without the permission of the administrator, but in Linux, the permission of the administrator is required to run each application. Unless the administrator has entered the system password, no virus or program will be able to execute.
these systems do not need any type of antivirus applications.
3. Very Much Flexible
Linux is a flexible OS as it can be used for desktop/laptop, embedded systems and servers. It can be used from wrist watch to super computer. It is everywhere in our phones, laptops, PCs, cars and even refrigerators. Apart from this, we can do many types of customization.
4. Preferred by developers
Linux is suitable for developers as it supports almost all popular programming languages such as C/C++, Java, Python, Ruby, and many more. In addition, it provides access to a number of applications used for development.
For developers, Linux terminal is much better than Windows command line, therefore, they prefer Linux terminal over Windows command line.
Linux Distributions :
It is also known as Linux Distro. Many agencies have modified the Linux operating system and created their own Linux distributions. There are many Linux distributions available in the market. It gives the user a different interface to the Linux operating system. We can choose any distribution as per our requirement. Some popular distros are Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, Linux Mint, Arch Linux and there are many more Linux distributions.
For beginners, Ubuntu and Linux Mint are considered useful and for developers, Debian and Fedora would be a good option. About six hundred Linux distributions come with different features.
Linux Operating System Structure :
Kernel
System Libraries
System Tools
Development Tools
The most important factor that makes Linux reliable is the web server. You can see that most of the big internet companies like Google and Facebook are also running on Linux servers. Even almost all supercomputers run on Linux.
But this does not mean that there are no problems in Linux. If you want to try any Linux distribution for your computer, you can try Linux Mint or Ubuntu.
If you still use Windows as your primary OS, are you thinking of switching to Linux? If you've already made the switch, and are using Linux, what advantages have you found?
Tell us your thoughts by commenting below.
