# What is Linux Operating System?
Linux is an open-source and free operating system that manages hardware resources and peripheral devices to facilitate communication between hardware and software. The Linux kernel was released by Linus Torvalds on September 17, 1991, and has since become popular among developers and programmers due to its flexibility, scalability, and robustness.
## Linux Architecture
A kernel acts as the center of an operating system that processes fundamental functions like hardware communication. Linux comprises the Linux kernel and all its utilities, libraries, and tools under the GNU project.
## Linux Operating System Features
Linux is flexible, scalable, and robust, making it suited for programming and other fields of endeavor.
## Linux Operating System Applications
A Linux operating system version modified by the user is called a distribution. It can be created and distributed for use in computers, smartphones, and other peripheral devices. Servers, e-book readers, and gaming consoles are also some of the devices that can run on Linux.
## Advantages of Linux Architecture
Aside from being a free alternative to Microsoft’s operating system, Linux is an excellent outcome of talented computer programmers’ work.
## Disadvantages of Linux Architecture
Linux is less user-friendly than other operating systems due to its lack of application support.
## Conclusion
In summary, Linux is an open-source and free operating system that provides a communication medium between software and hardware devices. Its flexibility, scalability, and robustness make it a preferred choice among programmers and developers for programming and other fields of endeavor.
## Additional Resources
To learn more about Linux, visit the Linux Foundation website at https://www.linuxfoundation.org/.
LINUX OPERATING SYSTEM: AN OVERVIEW
Linux kernel serves as the main part of the open-source Linux operating system. This distinctive system comprises various features such as desktop environment, bootloader, graphical server, daemons, and application software. Linux has unique advantages including versatility, customization, accessibility, security, and low maintenance. It is also compatible with any brand’s devices, which make it the most successful open-source OS.
LINUX ARCHITECTURE
The structure of a Linux system is composed of the Kernel, System Library, Hardware layer, System, and Shell functions. The Kernel is responsible for all primary duties of the Linux OS, creating an appropriate abstraction for hiding trivial hardware or application strategies. The System Library functions are implemented by the operating system and don’t require code access rights on the kernel modules. The Hardware layer comprises peripheral devices such as the CPU, HDD, and RAM. Lastly, the Shell functions can be categorized into two types: Graphical Shells and Command-Line Shells. Graphical Shells provide kernel services and run kernel operations in a graphical user interface. Command-Line Shells allow for command-line interfaces.Key Features of Linux Operating System
Linux is a versatile operating system with several notable features:
– Cross-platform software support ensures that software works equally well on any hardware.
– The community-based software development model allows teams to freely improve Linux’s capabilities.
– Linux supports multiple users, applications, and processes simultaneously.
– Linux follows a standard file format with system files placed first, and user files last.
– The Linux interpreter program runs commands and calls application programs.
– Linux offers authentication features like password protection, data encryption, and controlled access to specific files for added user security.
LINUX OPERATING SYSTEM APPLICATIONS
Here are some Linux operating system applications:
- Apache for web server hosting
- MySQL for database management
- GIMP for image manipulation
- LibreOffice for office productivity
- Chromium for internet browsing
Linux has a wide range of applications and enjoys high levels of reliability, security, and flexibility.
Google Chrome Browser Advantages
Google Chrome is a popular browser that has advantages over other browsers like Mozilla Firefox. It allows users to sync bookmarks, extensions and other items across different operating systems and devices through their Google accounts. Additionally, Chrome has an up-to-date Flash player which makes it the only browser on Linux that is compatible with Flash, leaving other browsers like Firefox and Opera unsupported.
//Sample code to illustrate implementation of syncing bookmarks
chrome.bookmarks.update(id, {"title": "New Title"});
chrome.bookmarks.removeTree(id);
chrome.bookmarks.create({
"parentId": parent,
"title": title,
"url": url
});
Steam on Linux: A Game Changer for Linux Gamers
Linux gamers can now rejoice as their favorite games are now playable on Valve’s Steam gaming client. Since the launch of Steam for Linux in 2013, the gaming experience for Linux users has been transformed. Installing Steam is easy, and with thousands of games available, Linux gamers can finally join in on the fun. While some high-end games like Counter Strike: Global Offensive, Hitman, and Dota 2 may be challenging to play on Linux, they are perfectly doable if you have the right hardware.
WordPress Desktop Client
The WordPress Desktop Client for Ubuntu allows you to write and design WordPress sites without constantly switching between tabs. It is an essential app for anyone managing WordPress-based websites from their desktop. The client consolidates all WordPress alerts in one window and provides performance statistics for posts. You can download and install the desktop client from the Ubuntu Software Center.
VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player is a popular media player also available on Ubuntu. It supports almost all video formats and has a user-friendly interface. The player has many features, such as online video playback and audio and video editing.
Atom Text Editor
Atom is an open-source IDE and text editor designed by Github for coding and editing in several programming languages. It has a sleek interface with useful features like syntax coloring, autocompletion, and plug-in support. It is fully hackable to match your preferences.
Gimp Photo Editor
While Adobe Photoshop is a preferred choice for Windows users, GIMP offers a great alternative for Ubuntu. With a similar interface to Photoshop, it is easy to use and offers many features. Additionally, users can install various extensions and plug-ins for added functionality.
YouTube Music
As Google shifts from Play Music to YouTube Music, the former is no longer available on Android, Windows, and Linux platforms. While Play Music had a challenging interface, YouTube Music offers a much nicer one. To avoid interruptions, a premium subscription is required, which can also be used on YouTube Premium. With a premium subscription, you can enjoy 256kbps AAC on the Music Player Premium. The free version of the app offers music at 128kbps AAC. A wide range of genres is available for music lovers.
Skype for Linux: Voice and Video-Calling App
Skype is an instant messaging app that provides voice and video-calling options along with desktop screen sharing. It is now accessible to Linux users as well. Although there are similarities between the Windows interface and the macOS client, the app is easy to use. Windows switchers can also benefit from using Skype.
Blender: A Powerful 3D Modeling Application
Blender, a free open-source 3D modeling software, is a versatile tool for creating 3D printed objects, films, video games, and more. Its intuitive interface offers a plethora of features including digital sculpting, animation tools, and simulation tools. Setting up a game engine is quick and easy. Blender is an ideal choice for Ubuntu users seeking a quality application that costs nothing.
Telegram: A Rising Instant Messaging and VoIP Service
Telegram has swiftly gained popularity for providing a free and open-source instant messaging and VoIP service. Users can avail themselves of Telegram’s features such as sharing videos, photos, audio, and other files. The platform also offers secret chat, voice messages, bots, telescopes for video messages, live locations, and social login. Security and privacy are Telegram’s top priorities, and it ensures that all conversations are end-to-end encrypted.
Linux Variations
Linux, the free and open-source operating system, has gained popularity over the years with a range of distributions for diverse communities – from home users to large corporations.
Debian: A Reliable and Stable Operating System
Debian, a highly successful Linux distribution that spawned other popular distributions like Ubuntu, Mint, and Deepin, offers a diverse range of system architectures and over 59,000 software packages. Its Buster release is an updated version with the latest updates, security fixes and applications. You can easily upgrade your Buster system by using APT package manager. The Stable version provides a stable and rock-solid environment, making it ideal for personal computers. The Testing version, also known as Debian Bullseye, is for developers and is constantly being updated. It is advisable to be cautious while using the experimental version, also known as Unstable, but it serves as an excellent testing ground for code changes. Millions of users benefit from Debian’s large repository and proven stability.
Gentoo: A Linux Distribution for Experts
Gentoo is a Linux distribution made for developers, network administrators, and Linux experts. It’s not recommended for beginners. One of the reasons Gentoo is favored is that it offers more information compared to other Linux distributions.
Portage is included in every Gentoo distribution, and it is a native component of similar organizations like Sabayon and Calculate Linux. The concept of port collections is based on Python and inspired by Portage. Port collections are also available in BSD-based distros like OpenBSD and NetBSD.
Introduction to Ubuntu Linux
Ubuntu Linux, developed by Canonical, is a renowned Linux distribution suitable for individuals ranging from beginners to professionals. Specifically designed for Linux beginners or those migrating from Mac OS and Windows, Ubuntu has pre-installed everyday applications such as Firefox and LibreOffice. With its GNOME desktop environment, and vast collection of music and video players, Ubuntu is user-friendly and visually appealing.
Furthermore, there are several versions of Ubuntu Studio, catering to creative professionals who generate multimedia content. Ubuntu is an ideal distribution for novice Linux users who want to make the most out of the operating system.
Linux Mint: Stable and Intuitive Linux Distribution
Linux Mint, based on Ubuntu, is a widely popular Linux distribution
among desktop users and professionals. Despite controversies around
snap support removal in Mint 20, it remains a powerful and stable
Linux distribution.
It includes Warpinator for LAN file-sharing, fractional-scaling,
Firefox, LibreOffice, Audacious, Thunderbird, and Timeshift for
everyday use.
With stable performance, long-term support until 2025, and
entertainment features such as gaming, video watching and music
listening, Linux Mint is an excellent Linux distribution.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux
Red Hat Enterprise Linux is a widely used Linux distribution among large corporations due to its stability and security patches. OpenShift PaaS uses Red Hat’s containerisation technology and can run containers on any physical server or virtualised environment with the right resources.
RHEL is a subscription-based distribution offering annual subscriptions for Linux Developer Workstation, Linux Developer Suite, and Linux for Virtual Datacenters. RHEL 8 utilises DNF as its default package manager and distributes BaseOS in two primary repositories – AppStream and BaseOS. The AppStream repository supplies all the apps needed when installing apps on BaseOS. While the BaseOS repository is used to supply only the necessary apps when installing on AppStream.
About CentOS
The CentOS Project aims to provide a robust and dependable open-source operating system. It is a great alternative to Red Hat Enterprise Linux, as it’s free to install and update. With the same stability as RHEL, users can enjoy free security and feature upgrades without any downtime. CentOS 8, based on App Stream and BaseOS repos, includes the latest software packages like Python 3.8, GCC 9.1, Maven 3.6, and more.
Fedora: An Introduction
Fedora is a popular and user-friendly open-source operating system that offers default applications for desktops, laptops, and servers. It’s similar to CentOS, which is used as a testing ground for Red Hat. Developers and students can take advantage of its functionality and up-to-date RPM software packages. Fedora 32 uses DNF as its default package manager.
Kali Linux: A Powerful Distribution for Penetration Testing and Digital Forensics
Kali Linux, based on Debian, is a popular Linux distribution used for digital forensics and penetration testing. It comes with various tools like Nmap, Metasploit Framework, Maltego, Aircrack-ng, and more. This distribution is maintained by Offensive Security.
Penetration testers can improve their skills by using Kali Linux. Kali Linux offers industry-standard certifications like the Kali Linux Certified Professional and Penetration Testing with Kali for advanced training.
Arch Linux: The Ideal Linux Distribution for Advanced Users
Arch Linux is a powerful and flexible distribution designed for experienced Linux users. It allows the freedom to customize and configure to your heart’s content. Arch constantly updates its software via Pacman and the AUR (Arch User Repository) provides access to the latest software versions. There are currently two methods for installing software packages and the latest version is 2020.09.01.
OpenSUSE and SUSE Tumbleweed
The OpenSUSE community project is a comprehensive and updated solution for desktop users and enterprise development, making it an ideal option for open-source developers and system administrators. On the other hand, SUSE Tumbleweed is a rolling-release distribution that includes the most recent software stacks and IDEs, making it perfect for power users and software developers looking for bleeding-edge technology solutions like the Nest Intelligence Suite, which provides up-to-date packages for office applications, GCC compiler, and the kernel.
Advantages of Linux Architecture
// Linux is highly customizable and has many benefits over others
// operating systems due to its open-source nature.
// Linux is extremely secure, with less susceptibility to viruses
// and malware compared to other operating systems.
// Updates for Linux are frequent and easy.
// Linux provides options for selecting a distribution that works
// best for users' preferences and needs.
// Linux software is free to use, and there is vast community support
// available to users.
// Linux systems are more stable and reliable, and thus, fewer crashes
// and freezes occur.
// The primary goal of Linux-based applications is to ensure
// users' privacy.
// Linux offers excellent performance because it can handle many
// users at the same time with ease.
// Linux's network compatibility makes it popular in businesses and
// enterprises.
// The flexibility of Linux allows users to install only the components
// they need instead of an entire operating system.
// Linux supports a vast range of file formats.
// The installation process for Linux is fast and straightforward,
// even for old computers.
// Linux can perform well even in cases where the hard drive is full.
Possible revised version:
Disadvantages of Linux: hardware driver support, steep learning curve, software availability and gaming
Linux has some disadvantages that make it challenging for some users.
Firstly, some hardware manufacturers do not provide drivers for Linux, as they favor Windows or Mac, which have more users.
Secondly, Linux can be difficult for beginners who are used to Windows, as it requires knowledge of command lines and software installation techniques. Furthermore, finding Linux experts can be challenging due to its smaller user base.
Thirdly, many popular software packages are not available on Linux, such as Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Office. This can limit the options for graphic designers and office workers who rely on these programs.
Lastly, game developers tend to focus on Windows, as it has a larger market share compared to Linux, which means that Linux users have fewer gaming options.
Operating System: The Connection Between Hardware and Software
An operating system is software that manages computer hardware and enables programs to access resources. It is the bridge between computer software and hardware. The system software of a computer consists of the operating system, which provides a platform for various applications. Users can efficiently run almost any program using the operating system. Linux OS, a version of the UNIX OS, is a free and popular version that includes features such as an X Window System, Emacs editor, TCP/IP, and a graphical user interface.
Additional Resources for Linux
Here are some additional resources for Linux:
- Linux Commands Cheat Sheet: A helpful guide to common Linux commands.
- Linux Interview Questions: Get ready for Linux interview questions with this resource.
- Linux MCQ: Multiple choice questions to test your knowledge of Linux.
These resources will help you become more familiar with Linux and better prepared for any challenges you may face.
