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Linux

What is Linux? Its features, advantages and disadvantages

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

The Linux operating system was developed in 1971 by the American Telephone and Telegraph Company. At first, this operating system 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 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. In the technology used in some cars and in 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

Just 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 the software part and the hardware part of your computer system. The Linux operating system includes several sections, each of which we will introduce and explain in the following.

Familiarity with different parts of Linux operating system

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

1- Boot loader:

Boot loading or bootloader is the 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 and disappears after a short time and so-called raises your system.

2- Kernel:

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

3- Init system:

The initial system is a subsystem that is responsible for bootstrap the user space. This system receives its power from Daemons controllers.

4- Daemons:

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

5- Graphical Server:

A graphic server, as its name implies, is a subsystem that is 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 that the user can choose from. Environments such as GNOME, Cinnamon, Mate, Pantheon, Enlightenment, KDE, Xfce and the like.

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

7- Applications:

The Linux desktop has not offered all the applications and arrays to its user and has not prepared for him. Just like Windows or Mac OS, Linux has thousands of environmentally friendly programs and applications that a user can easily find, download and install any of them.

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

Why use Linux?

This is a question that is asked by many users of the computer world. Why should we accept the hassle of learning how to work with another operating system, when we know the system 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 that arises.

Linux, an open source operating system

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

  • is free to launch and run the operating system without the need for special access or permission for any purpose.
  • is free to learn how to work with this system and change its programs to his liking and need.
  • can make a copy of the desired items in this system or the whole system.
  • 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 different 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 downloadable for free, 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 on a server or desktop?

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

And in the field of other questions, you can see the images of the desktop appearance of different versions through the Internet. You can also search for suitable versions for server or desktop on the Internet and get  familiar with the features of each of them. 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 in the world of professionals, coders and programmers in the world, but the disadvantages, problems and limitations of this operating system have also involved users.

Some of them are as follows:

  • It is difficult to find suitable and usable hardware for Linux. It seems that hardware companies tend to design and build hardware that is compatible with operating systems such as Windows and Mac. The reason for this is the large number of users available for these two operating systems.
  • Learning to work with Linux is harder and more complicated than learning how to work with Windows. You have to 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 on this universal system.
  • It seems that middle computer games are not happy with Linux. Infinite world of games can be on Windows and Mac. But Linux has few games to run.