Linux

Linux is an operating system made possible through the work of Linus Torvalds in 1991. The University of Helsinki student was unhappy with the system on his Intel 386 computer, so he began writing his own operating system core. Eventually his work led to an open-source software development project that he continued to oversee for many years. Many operating systems, such as Android and Chrome OS, are based on Linux. A wide variety of products, from smartphones to automobiles, rely on Linux operating systems.

Overview

Torvalds built the core of an operating system, which is called a kernel. He matched his work to a set of tools, known as the GNU utilities, that had been created by Richard Stallman in 1983. GNU tools, which include command lines and compilers, were created to build operating systems but were missing a kernel. With the development and addition of the Linux kernel, a completely new operating system was born.

An operating system (OS) is software that allows a computer user and applications to work with a computer's devices and perform tasks. The OS shares the instructions between the two elements—for example, an application and the processor—and returns the results.

Free open-source software (FOSS) is software that is written by a developer and made available to anyone who wants to copy, change, or distribute it. Users are free to fix bugs or come up with completely new features if they wish. In the case of Linux, Torvalds insisted in the licensing agreement that users had to share what they wrote. Developers of other FOSS had not done this; consequently, as the original software was developed by many people, often times the results were incompatible with each other. Because Linux is FOSS, many companies can collaborate on developing Linux and share the cost of the work, and updates and changes remain compatible.

With the introduction of the Linux kernel, a number of developers created and distributed operating systems. Among the earliest was Slackware, which in turn inspired others to launch companies to support the software. Another early adopter was Red Hat Commercial Linux. Throughout the 1990s, the kernel was morphing and progressing. By 1996, when version 2.0 was released, Linux was the operating system favored by information technology professionals around the world. Between 2000 and 2005, a number of computers arrived on shelves already powered by Linux. During this time, Linux was seen as a legitimate competitor of Microsoft's Windows operating system. An alternative for those who still preferred the Windows desktop experience was Ubuntu 4.10, which arrived in late 2004. The Android operating systems, which are also Linux-based, began arriving soon after. Android developments led directly to the debut of smartphones.

The Linux Foundation was formed in 2000 to protect and foster the growth of Linux while also protecting its independence. The Linux Foundation, under the direction of Torvalds, ensures that Linux remains collaborative and free and maintains a focus on education.

The Linux companies offer the distribution code for free, yet at the same time, Linux generates revenue in several ways. For example, downloading the vast Linux code is a daunting task, and assembling the operating system for oneself is a time-consuming endeavor. Distribution makers charge customers who wish to purchase previously compiled packages of Linux code, called distros, which are designed to be simple to use. Distros may include the Linux kernel, the GNU shell utilities, a web browser, and other components. Other companies charge for commercial support of the operating system.

Many distros are available for users, who can choose the version that works best for them. For example, Arch Linux is highly customizable, while many users find openSUSE meets their needs for a desktop computer. One team of developers has been dedicated to creating a platform for education. The collaborative team—working for One Laptop Per Child, Pentagram, and Red Hat—has created the Sugar distro, which includes software carefully chosen for children's use. Some distros, such as Lubuntu, have been developed to work with old and obsolete hardware. Linux remained popular throughout the early twenty-first century, powering a variety of smartphones and other devices.

Technical Notes

The flexibility of the Linux kernel is a significant element of its success. Torvalds wrote the kernel in modules, and the operating system is also modular. Because it can be expanded or pared down through this modular form, it can easily be adapted for a variety of uses. In addition, the modular nature of the kernel means that a failure in (or an attack on) one piece will not necessarily cause a complete crash.

Although the Linux operating system includes many development languages, the majority of the code is written in the C or C++ languages. Other languages include Java, Perl, and Lisp. It is estimated that over 95 percent of the Linux kernel's code is written in C. Developers use a number of tools in developing code, including text-based tools such as Emacs and Vim, as well as Anjuta, Eclipse, and Netbeans.

Linux Communities

The major Linux communities are the developers and the users. Many developers work for companies such as IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, and Hitachi, which support the Linux Foundation financially and by supplying workers. In the early 2000s, for example, IBM invested over $1 billion in developing Linux. The company invested a further $1 billion in Linux and other open-source technologies in the mid-2010s. In addition, some developers work independently and are not employed by any companies. The community therefore consists of both corporate-backed developers and independent contributors, with users forming the second main community.

End users frequently participate in online communities to discuss issues and support other users. Many speak up and offer their opinions about Linux and new developments and may offer suggestions as to what they want to see.

Bibliography

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