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- Post Publish: 2023-03-15
- Categories: Knowledge
- Updated:
- Posts by Mina Xiao
What is the Linux Operating System and What It Can Do?
Mina Xiao
What is the Linux Operating System and What It Can Do? - Table of contents:
Linux operating system is an open source, free-to-use operating system based on Unix. Developed in 1991 by Linus Benedict Torvalds, Linux is POSIX-compliant and is designed to be a multi-user, multi-tasking, multi-threaded, and multi-CPU operating system. Inspired by the ideas of UNIX and Minix, Linux operating system has developed into a popular alternative to Microsoft Windows for computer systems.
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It supports 32-bit and 64-bit hardware and can run major Unix utilities, applications, and network protocols.
What is a Linux operating system?
LINUX is an operating system or a kernel distributed under an open-source license. Its functionality list is quite like UNIX. The kernel is a program at the heart of the Linux operating system that takes care of basic stuff, like letting hardware communicate with software.
Linux is a Unix-like, open-source, and community-developed operating system (OS) for computers, servers, mainframes, mobile devices, and embedded devices. It is supported on almost every central computer platform, including x86, ARM, and SPARC, making it one of the most widely supported operating systems.
Why do you need Linux operating system?
Every time you switch on your computer, you see a screen where you can perform different activities like writing, browsing the internet, or watching a video. What is it that makes the computer hardware work like that? How does the processor on your computer know that you are asking it to run an mp3 file?
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Well, it is the operating system or the kernel which does this work. So, to work on your computer, you need an Operating System (OS). In fact, you are using one as you read this on your computer. Now, you may have used popular OS like Windows, and Apple OS X, but here we will learn an introduction to the Linux operating system, Linux overview, and what benefits it offers over other OS choices.
Main Features of Linux operating system.
Basic idea
There are two basic ideas of Linux: first, everything is a file; second, each file has a definite purpose. The first one is that everything in the system boils down to a file, including commands, hardware and software devices, operating systems, processes, etc. The operating system kernel, they are all regarded as files with their own characteristics or types. As for the fact that Linux is based on Unix, it is largely because the basic ideas of the two are very similar.
Completely free
Linux is a free operating system that users can obtain for free through the Internet or other channels, and can modify its source code arbitrarily. This is something other operating systems cannot do. It is precisely because of this that countless programmers from all over the world have participated in the modification and writing of Linux.
Programmers can change it according to their own interests and inspirations, which makes Linux absorb the essence of countless programmers and continue to grow.
Fully compatible with POSIX1.0 standard
This makes it possible to run common DOS and Windows programs through corresponding emulators under Linux. This laid the foundation for users to switch from Windows to Linux. When many users consider using Linux operating system, they think about whether the programs that were previously common under Windows can run normally, which dispels their doubts.
Multi-user, multi-tasking.
Linux supports multiple users, and each user has its own special rights to its own file device, which ensures that each user does not affect the other. Multitasking is one of the most important features of modern computers. Linux can make multiple programs run simultaneously and independently.
Good interface
Linux has both a character interface and a graphical interface. In the character interface, the user can enter the corresponding command through the keyboard to operate. It also provides an X-Window system similar to the Windows graphical interface, and users can use the mouse to operate it. In the X-Window environment, it is similar to Windows, which can be said to be a Linux version of Windows.
Support multiple platforms
Linux can run on a variety of hardware platforms, such as platforms with processors such as x86, 680×0, SPARC, and Alpha. In addition, Linux is an embedded operating system that can run on handheld computers, set-top boxes, LCD advertising displays, or game consoles.
The Linux version 2.4 kernel released in January 2001 has been able to fully support the Intel 64-bit chip architecture. At the same time, Linux also supports multi-processor technology. Multiple processors work at the same time, greatly improving system performance.
Benefits of Linux operating system
Linux OS now enjoys popularity at its prime, and it’s famous among programmers as well as regular computer users around the world. Its main benefits are:
It offers a free operating system. You do not have to shell out hundreds of dollars to get an OS like Windows!
- Being open-source, anyone with programming knowledge can modify it.
- It is easy to learn Linux for beginners.
- The Linux operating systems now offer millions of programs/applications and Linux software to choose from, most of them are free!
- Once you have Linux installed you no longer need an antivirus! Linux is a highly secure system. More so, there is a global development community constantly looking at ways to enhance its security. With each upgrade, the OS becomes more secure and robust.
- Linux freeware is the OS of choice for Server environments due to its stability and reliability (Mega-companies like Amazon, Facebook, and Google use Linux for their Servers). A Linux-based server could run non-stop without a reboot for years on end.
While Linux operating system is more commonly used in servers and supercomputers, and Windows is more popular among personal computers, both have their own advantages and disadvantages. Windows is generally considered to be easier to use, while Linux is known for its stability and security.
Linux is an open-source operating system whereas Windows OS is commercial. Linux operating system has access to source code and alters the code as per user need whereas Windows does not have access to the source code. In Linux, the user has access to the source code of the kernel and alters the code according to his need.
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