Introduction to Linux

1. What is Linux?
2. Architecture of Linux.

What is Linux?

Linux is an open-source operating system that serves as the foundation for a wide range of computing devices, from personal computers to servers. What sets Linux apart is its flexibility, reliability, and security, making it a popular choice among developers, system administrators, and tech enthusiasts alike.

1.Open-source and used by 91% of the applications on the internet.

2.Allow multi-users and Multi-tasking with powerful shell and multiples flavors.

3.Allow high security, doesn't need anti-virus Software.

Is There Any Difference between Linux and Ubuntu?

The answer is YES. The main difference between Linux and Ubuntu is Linux is the family of open-source operating systems which is based on Linux kernel, whereas Ubuntu is a free open-source operating system and the Linux distribution which is based on Debian. Or in other words, Linux is the core system and Ubuntu is the distribution of Linux. Linux is developed by Linus Torvalds and released in 1991 and Ubuntu is developed by Canonical Ltd. and released in 2004.

History of Linux

In the 1990s, a guy named Linus Torvalds created Linux as a free alternative to Unix. People from all over helped make it better. It's now a big deal in tech because it's strong and can do lots of different things.

Architecture of Linux

1. Kernel: Kernel is the core of the Linux based operating system. It virtualizes the common hardware resources of the computer to provide each process with its virtual resources. This makes the process seem as if it is the sole process running on the machine. The kernel is also responsible for preventing and mitigating conflicts between different processes. Different types of the kernel are:

   • Monolithic Kernel

   • Hybrid kernels

   • Exo kernels

   • Micro kernels

2. System Library:Linux uses system libraries, also known as shared libraries, to implement various functionalities of the operating system. These libraries contain pre-written code that applications can use to perform specific tasks. By using these libraries, developers can save time and effort, as they don’t need to write the same code repeatedly. System libraries act as an interface between applications and the kernel, providing a standardized and efficient way for applications to interact with the underlying system.

3. Shell:The shell is the user interface of the Linux Operating System. It allows users to interact with the system by entering commands, which the shell interprets and executes. The shell serves as a bridge between the user and the kernel, forwarding the user’s requests to the kernel for processing. It provides a convenient way for users to perform various tasks, such as running programs, managing files, and configuring the system.

4. Hardware Layer: The hardware layer encompasses all the physical components of the computer, such as RAM (Random Access Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), CPU (Central Processing Unit), and input/output devices. This layer is responsible for interacting with the Linux Operating System and providing the necessary resources for the system and applications to function properly. The Linux kernel and system libraries enable communication and control over these hardware components, ensuring that they work harmoniously together.

5. System Utility: System utilities are essential tools and programs provided by the Linux Operating System to manage and configure various aspects of the system. These utilities perform tasks such as installing software, configuring network settings, monitoring system performance, managing users and permissions, and much more. System utilities simplify system administration tasks, making it easier for users to maintain their Linux systems efficiently.

   Advantages of Linux

   1. The main advantage of Linux is it is an open-source operating system. This means the source code is easily available for everyone and you are allowed to contribute, modify and distribute the code to anyone without any permissions.

   2. In terms of security, Linux is more secure than any other operating system. It does not mean that Linux is 100 percent secure, it has some malware for it but is less vulnerable than any other operating system. So, it does not require any anti-virus software.

   3. The software updates in Linux are easy and frequent.

   4. Various Linux distributions are available so that you can use them according to your requirements or according to your taste.

   5. Linux is freely available to use on the internet.

   6. It has large community support.

   7. It provides high stability. It rarely slows down or freezes and there is no need to reboot it after a short time.

   8. It maintains the privacy of the user.

   9. The performance of the Linux system is much higher than other operating systems. It allows a large number of people to work at the same time and it handles them efficiently.

   10. It is network friendly.

   11. The flexibility of Linux is high. There is no need to install a complete Linux suite; you are allowed to install only the required components.

   12. Linux is compatible with a large number of file formats.

   13. It is fast and easy to install from the web. It can also install it on any hardware even on your old computer system.

   14. It performs all tasks properly even if it has limited space on the hard disk.

Disadvantages of Linux

• It is not very user-friendly. So, it may be confusing for beginners.

• It has small peripheral hardware drivers as compared to windows.