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Linux

What is Linux? Its features, advantages and disadvantages

Linux is one of the most powerful operating systems on the market. It is completely open-source and very popular among programmers.

The Linux operating system was developed in 1971 by the American Telephone and Telegraph Company. At first, it was very expensive, and for this reason, it was not very popular. Later, all versions of this operating system were provided to users for free and were completely open source.

Since 1990, Linux has been present in most areas dealing with technology and computers. It may be interesting to know that Linux is even present in thermostats, the technology used in some cars, and some refrigerators and TVs.

Linux is more of a secure, reliable, and hassle-free operating system for users than a platform used in these devices.

Introduction to Linux

Like iOS, Windows, and Mac OS, Linux is an operating system. In fact, Linux is one of the most popular and widely used platforms in the world. It may be interesting to know that a product called Android gets all its power from the Linux operating system.

An operating system is software that manages all the hardware resources associated with your desktop or laptop. Simply put, an operating system manages the relationship between your computer system’s software and hardware. The Linux operating system includes several sections, each of which we will introduce and explain in the following.

Familiarity with different parts of the Linux operating system

The different parts of the Linux operating system are as follows:

1- Boot loader:

Boot loading or bootloader is a part of the Linux operating system. It is responsible for managing the boot process of your computer system. For most users, this is actually the part that appears on the image when the system is turned on. It disappears after a short time and so-called raises your system.

2- Kernel:

The kernel is the operating system’s core, and it’s exactly what Linux is. The kernel is responsible for managing the CPU, memory, or the surrounding memory and hardware. It is the lowest level of an operating system.

3- Init system:

The initial system is a subsystem responsible for bootstrapping the user space. It receives its power from Daemon controllers.

4- Daemons:

These are the background services of the entire Linux system, such as printers, voice services, and the like. They are also active from pre-boot to boot time.

5- Graphical Server:

As its name implies, a graphic server is a subsystem responsible for executing graphic items that appear on the monitor or the user’s screen. This part of the Linux system is also a Server X, or X for short.

6- Desktop environment:

The desktop environment is the part that the user deals with. There are many desktop environments from which the user can choose. Environments such as GNOME, Cinnamon, Mate, Pantheon, Enlightenment, KDE, Xfce, etc.

These desktop environments include custom and non-transferable applications (Built-in applications). Such as file managers, configuration tools, web browsers, and games)

7- Applications:

The Linux desktop has not offered its users all the applications and arrays and has not prepared for them. Like Windows or Mac OS, Linux has thousands of environmentally friendly programs and applications that users can easily find, download, and install.

In its current version, Linux has an application store from which users can find and install any program. Ubuntu Linux, for example, has its software hub.

Why use Linux?

Many computer users ask this question. Why should we accept the hassle of learning how to work with another operating system when we know the systems of other common agents well and know how to work with them?

To answer this question, we must first turn to another question. Is the operating system you are currently using working properly? Do not problems with viruses, server and CPU slowdowns, permissions to access the original version, repair costs, and other such problems threaten you while working with it?

If the answer to this question is yes, you now have the answer to the previous question. Linux is the best option for people whose computer operating systems are experiencing these problems.

The main advantages and features of Linux are the following three:

  • A reliable and secure system
  • There is no cost for the user to enter and use it.
  • There is a quick and easy solution to almost every possible problem.

Linux, an open-source operating system

When it comes to an open source operating system, what are the benefits to the user?

  • The operating system is free to launch and run without the need for special access or permission.
  • He can learn how to work with this system and change its programs to his liking and needs.
  • You can copy the desired items in this system or the whole system.
  • He can share a copy of his system with other users and run it on other systems.

This is exactly why most active development teams in companies use Linux on all their computer systems: because all members of the group have access to the same system, everyone is involved in the same issue in the same way.

In this case, if a problem occurs for one system, they can find a solution and run it for all systems. Otherwise, they had to troubleshoot and fix the bugs separately for each system, and this process was very time-consuming and costly for them.

What is Distribution?

Linux has many versions, each tailored to the needs of different users. So, from novice to professional users, everyone can find the Linux they need. These different versions are called distributions.

All Linux distributions are free to download, portable to USB, and can be installed and run on systems.

The most popular and widely used Linux distributions are as follows:

  • LINUX MINT
  • MANJARO
  • DEBIAN
  • UBUNTU
  • ANTERGOS
  • SOLUS
  • FEDORA
  • ELEMENTARY OS
  • OPENSUSE

Which Distribution is more suitable for us?

To find the answer to this question, you must first answer the following three questions:

  • How skilled are you at using a computer?
  • Do you use the look of a modern desktop, or do you want it to look standard?
  • Want to use it on a server or desktop?

If you are a computer user with basic computer skills, versions like Linux Mint or Ubuntu are your best choice. But if you have advanced skills in this field, Gentoo is more suitable.

In the field of other questions, you can see images of the desktop appearance of different versions on the Internet. You can also search for suitable versions for servers or desktops on the Internet and familiarize yourself with their features. This way, you will know which version is the most suitable option for you.

Disadvantages and limitations of Linux

Although Linux is currently one of the most widely used operating systems among professionals, coders, and programmers worldwide, users have also experienced its disadvantages, problems, and limitations.

Some of them are as follows:

  • It is difficult to find suitable and usable hardware for Linux. Hardware companies seem to design and build hardware that is compatible with operating systems such as Windows and Mac, which is because there are a large number of users available for these two operating systems.
  • Learning to work with Linux is harder and more complicated than working with Windows. You must learn to work with command lines and get your eyes used to this new look.
  • Most applications do not have a Linux-compatible version. For example, popular software such as Photoshop does not run on Linux. Of course, users’ surprise becomes more apparent when they realize that more widely used software such as the Office suite cannot be used in this universal system.
  • It seems that middle computer games are not happy with Linux. While the infinite world of games can be on Windows and Mac, Linux has few games to run.