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What is Linux?

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What is Linux?
Are you looking to get started in Linux?

Develop an excellent working knowledge of Linux using the graphical interface and command line across the prominent Linux distribution families with The Linux Foundation’s Intro to Linux online course. Enroll for free here. (Este curso también está disponible en español. Haga clic aquí para Introducción a Linux.)

From smartphones to cars, supercomputers and home appliances, and home desktops to enterprise servers, the Linux operating system is everywhere.

Linux has been around since the mid-1990s and has reached a user base that spans the globe. Linux is everywhere: It’s in your phones, your thermostats, your cars, refrigerators, Roku devices, and televisions. It also runs most of the Internet, the world’s top 500 supercomputers, and the world’s stock exchanges.

But besides being the platform of choice to run desktops, servers, and embedded systems across the globe, Linux is one of the most reliable, secure, and worry-free operating systems available.

Here is all the information you need to get up to speed on the Linux platform.

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What is Linux OS ?

Like Windows, iOS, and Mac OS, Linux is an operating system. One of the most popular platforms on the planet, Android, is powered by the Linux operating system. An operating system is a software that manages all the hardware resources associated with your desktop or laptop. Simply put, the operating system communicates between your software and your hardware. Without the operating system (OS), the software wouldn’t function.

The Linux operating system comprises several different pieces:

Bootloader – The software that manages the boot process of your computer. This splash screen pops up for most users and eventually goes away to boot into the operating system.
Kernel – This is the one piece called ‘Linux.’

The seed is the system’s core and manages the CPU, memory, and peripheral devices. The source is the lowest level of the OS.
Init system – This is a sub-system that bootstraps the user space and is charged with controlling daemons. One of the most widely used init systems is a system, which is also one of the most controversial.

The init system manages the boot process once the initial booting is handed over from the bootloader (i.e., GRUB or GRand Unified Bootloader).
Daemons – These background services (printing, sound, scheduling, etc.) start during boot or after logging into the desktop.
Graphical server – This sub-system displays the graphics on your monitor.

It is commonly referred to as the X server or just X.
Desktop environment – This is the piece that the users interact with. There are many desktop environments to choose from (GNOME, Cinnamon, Mate, Pantheon, Enlightenment, KDE, Xfce, etc.). Each desktop environment includes built-in applications (such as file managers, configuration tools, web browsers, and games).

Applications – Desktop environments do not offer the full array of apps. Like Windows and macOS, Linux offers thousands upon thousands of high-quality software titles that can be easily found and installed. Most modern Linux distributions (more on this below) include App Store-like tools that centralize and simplify application installation. For example, Ubuntu Linux has the Ubuntu Software Center (a rebrand of GNOME Software). It allows you to quickly search among the thousands of apps and install them from one centralized location.

Why use Linux?

This is the one question that most people ask. Why bother learning a completely different computing environment when the operating system with most desktops, laptops, and servers works just fine?

To answer that question, I would pose another question. Does that operating system you’re currently using work “just fine”? Or do you find yourself battling obstacles like viruses, malware, slowdowns, crashes, costly repairs, and licensing fees?

If you struggle with the above, Linux might be your perfect platform. Linux has evolved into one of the most reliable computer ecosystems on the planet. Combine that reliability with zero entry and cost and have the ideal solution for a desktop platform.

That’s right, zero cost of entry… as in free. You can install Linux on as many computers as you like without paying a cent for software or server licensing.

Let’s look at the cost of a Linux server compared to Windows Server 2016. The price of the Windows Server 2016 Standard Edition is USD 882.00 (purchased directly from Microsoft). That doesn’t include Client Access Licenses (CALs) and licenses for other software you may need to run (such as a database, a web server, a mail server, etc.). For example, for Windows Server 2016, a single-user CAL costs $38.00. For example, if you need to add ten users, that’s $388.00 more for server software licensing. With the Linux server, it’s all free and easy to install. Installing a full-blown web server (that includes a database server) is just a few clicks or commands away (take a look at Easy LAMP Server Installation to get an idea of how simple it can be).

If zero cost isn’t enough to win you over–what about having an operating system that will work, trouble-free, for as long as you use it? I’ve used Linux for nearly 20 years (as both a desktop and server platform) and have not had any issues with ransomware, malware, or viruses. Linux is generally far less vulnerable to such attacks. As for server reboots, they’re only necessary if the kernel is updated. It is not out of the ordinary for a Linux server to go years without being rebooted. Stability and dependability are practically assured if you follow the regularly recommended updates.
Open source

Linux OS is also distributed under an open-source license. Open source follows these fundamental tenets:

  1. The freedom to run the program for any purpose.
  2. The freedom to study and change and change how the program works to make it do what you wish.
  3. The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor.
  4. The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions to others.

These points are crucial to understanding the community that works together to create the Linux platform. Without a doubt, Linux is an operating system “by the people, for the people.” These tenets are also a primary factor in why many people choose Linux. It’s about freedom and freedom of use and freedom of choice.

What is a “distribution?”

Linux has several different versions to suit any user. From new users to hard-core users, you’ll find a “flavor” of Linux to match your needs. These versions are called distributions (or, in the short form, “distros”). Nearly every distribution of Linux can be downloaded for free, burned onto disk (or USB thumb drive), and installed (on as many machines as you like).

Popular Linux OS distributions include:

Each distribution has a different take on the desktop. Some opt for modern user interfaces (such as GNOME and Elementary OS’s Pantheon), whereas others stick with a more traditional desktop environment (openSUSE uses KDE).

And I don’t think the server has been left behind. For this arena, you can turn to:

Some of the above server distributions are free (such as Ubuntu Server and CentOS), and some have an associated price (such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux and SUSE Enterprise Linux). Those with an associated fee also include support.

Which distribution is suitable for you?
Which distribution you use will depend on the answer to three simple questions:

How skilled of a computer user are you?
Do you prefer a modern or a standard desktop interface?
Server or desktop?

If your computer skills are essential, you’ll want to stick with a newbie-friendly distribution such as Linux Mint, Ubuntu (Figure 3), Elementary OS, or Deepin. Your skill set extends into the above-average range; you could choose a distribution like Debian or Fedora. If you’ve mastered the craft of computer and system administration, use a distribution like Gentoo. So you want a challenge? You can build your very own Linux.

Distribution with the help of Linux From Scratch.

If you’re looking for a server-only distribution, you will also want to decide if you need a desktop interface or will do this via the command line only. The Ubuntu Server does not install a GUI interface. This means your server won’t be bogged down loading graphics, and you’ll need a solid understanding of the Linux command line. However, you can install a GUI package on top of the Ubuntu Server with a single command like sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop. System administrators will also want to view a distribution of features.

Do you want a server-specific distribution that will offer you, out of the box, everything you need for your server?

If so, CentOS might be the best choice. Or do you want to take a desktop distribution and add the pieces as you need them? If so, Debian or Ubuntu Linux might serve you well.

Installing Linux OS

For many people, the idea of installing an operating system might seem like a very daunting task. Believe it or not, Linux offers one of the most accessible installations of all operating systems. Most versions of Linux offer a Live distribution, which means you run the operating system from either a CD/DVD or USB flash drive without making any changes to your hard drive. You get the full functionality without having to commit to the installation. Once you’ve tried it and decided to use it, double-click the “Install” icon and walk through the simple installation wizard.

Typically, the installation wizards walk you through the process with the following steps (We’ll illustrate the installation of Ubuntu Linux):

Installing software on Linux

Just as the operating system is easy to install, so are applications. Most modern Linux distributions include what most would consider an app store. This is a centralized location where software can be searched and installed. Ubuntu Linux (and many other distributions) rely on GNOME Software, Elementary OS has the AppCenter, Deepin has the Deepin Software Center, openSUSE has its AppStore, and some distributions count on Synaptic.

Regardless of the name, each tool does the same thing: a central place to search for and install Linux software. Of course, these software pieces depend upon a GUI’s presenceI-less servers; you must rely upon the command-line interface for installation.

Let’s look at two tools to illustrate how easy even the command line installation can be. Our examples are Debian-based distributions and Fedora-based distributions. The Debian-based distros will use the apt-get tool for installing software, and Fedora-based distros will require using the yum device. Both work very similarly. We’ll illustrate using the apt-get command. Let’s say you want to install the Wget tool (which is a handy tool used to download files from the command line). To install this using apt-get, the command would like like this:

sudo apt-get install wget

The sudo command is added because you need superuser privileges to install the software. Similarly, to install the same software on a Fedora-based distribution, you would first su to the super user (literally issue the command su and enter the root password) and issue this command:

Yum install wget

That’s all there is to installing software on a Linux machine. It’s not nearly as challenging as you might think. Still in doubt? Recall the Easy Lamp Server Installation from earlier. With a single command:

sudo asked

Install a complete LAMP (Linux Apache MySQL PHP) server on a server or desktop distribution. It is that easy.
More resources

If you’re looking for one of the most reliable, secure, and dependable platforms for the desktop and the server, look no further than one of the many Linux distributions. With Linux, you can ensure your desktops will be free of trouble, your servers up, and your support requests minimal.

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