What is Linux

The vast majority of computer users use Microsoft's Windows operating system. This is a proprietary operating system for which you have (or had) to pay a license. As an alternative we have Linux, What is the name given to the Unix-based operating systems. Their main characteristic is that they are open source or what is the same, we can see and modify the code, and they are free.

What is Linux

They are a set of Unix-based operating systems operating under the GNU GPL license. Mostly these operating systems are free, although there are some professional versions that are paid. They're a fully functional alternative to Windows.

[box type=»info» align=»» class=»» width=»»]GNU GPL: General Public License; in Spanish, GNU General Public License[/box]

The great power of this operating system is that it is multi-user, multi-tasking and cross-platform. It can be used through commands, although this requires advanced knowledge. Distributions such as Fedora, Ubuntu, Linux Mint or Clear Linux have a graphical interface similar to Windows.

Being open source, we can manipulate the code at will, copy it and distribute it, always under the terms of the GPL license.

Who developed the first version of Linux based on Unix, it was linus torvalds. It was in the 80s when released Minix, a version of the Unix-based operating system by Torvalds. He didn't like the name too much and he finished it switching to Linux in 1991, using his name.

Torvalds has had the great support of Richard Stallman, with whom I develop Free Software Foundation and the Linux Foundation. Both organizations promote the use of free software. Interestingly, Microsoft is also part of the Linux Foundation.

[box type=»note» align=»» class=»» width=»»]The GNU logo features a Gnu, while the Linux logo is a penguin named Tux[/box]

Linux is the name of the kernel or kernel of the operating system. This kernel is they add different layers of applications, programs, and graphical environments to build different operating system distributions.

👉 Difference between proprietary software and free software 👈

What is Linux for

Like Windows, this operating system is used to run a computer. The advantage of Linux, for the most part, is that no licenses are required.

Linux is present on many computers, especially laptops and OEM equipment (pre-assembled computers). The reason is that it is not legal in many countries to sell a computer without an operating system. Without the operating system, it is considered that the computer is not functional, so an operating system must be added. Manufacturers choose to install it and thus save the Windows license and reduce costs.

Where Linux is truly relevant is on servers and supercomputers. The Servers often use RedHat or specific Linux distributions. While the supercomputers they usually wear custom designed versions of this operating system.

Another function is linux live, a solution that allows network audit WiFi. Although when WiFi networks began to become popular, it was used to obtain internet access at no cost by circumventing security. WiFiSlax, a Linux Live distribution, was created to obtain passwords for wireless networks with ease and allowing access to the internet illegally.

Although most common use of linux is on smartphone. The operating system Android is based on the Linux kernel no GNU components. operating systemss MacOS and Apple iOS too are based on this kernel. Even there are specific versions for NAS systems, SmartTV, routers, etc.

As a curiosity, CERN's hadron collider runs under Scientific Linux, a custom-made layout.