2. Linux
● Refers to the family of Unix-
like computer operating
systems using the Linux kernel.
● Linux is the leading server OS,
accounting for more than 50% of
installations
● Desktop use of Linux has
increased in recent years, partly
owing to the
popular Ubuntu, Fedora,
and openSUSE distributions and
the emergence
of netbooks and smartphones.
3. Unix
● The Unix operating system was
conceived and implemented in
1969 at AT&T's Bell Laboratories
Ken Thompson, Dennis
Ritchie,Douglas McIlroy, and Joe
Ossanna.
● It was first released in 1971 and
was initially entirely written
in assembly language.
● Later, in a key pioneering
approach in 1973, Unix was re-
written in the programming
language C by Dennis Ritchie.
4. GNU
The GNU Project, started in 1983
by Richard Stallman, had the goal of
creating a "complete Unix-compatible
software system" composed entirely
of free software.
Work began in 1984. Later, in 1985,
Stallman started the Free Software
Foundation and wrote the GNU General
Public License (GNU GPL) in 1989.
By the early 1990s, many of the
programs required in an operating
system (such as
libraries,compilers, text editors, a Unix
shell, and a windowing system) were
completed.
5. MINIX
MINIX is an inexpensive minimal Unix-
like operating system, designed for
education in computer science, written
by Andrew S. Tanenbaum.
In 1991 while attending the University of
Helsinki, Torvalds, curious about the
operating systems and frustrated by the
licensing of MINIX limiting it to educational
use only (which prevented any commercial
use), began to work on his own operating
system which eventually became the Linux
kernel.
6. Current Development
Torvalds continues to direct the
development of the kernel.
Stallman heads the Free Software
Foundation, which in turn
supports the GNU components.
Linux vendors and communities
combine and distribute the
kernel, GNU components, and
non-GNU components, with
additional package management
software in the form of Linux
distributions.
8. Community
A distribution is largely driven by its developer
and user communities.
Some vendors develop and fund their
distributions on a volunteer basis.
In many cities and regions, local associations
known as Linux Users Groups (LUGs) seek to
promote their preferred distribution and by
extension free software.
They hold meetings and provide free
demonstrations, training, technical support, and
operating system installation to new users.
Vibrant Gujarat Linux User Group:
http://groups.google.com/group/vglug/
9. Programming on Linux
For building both Linux applications and operating system programs is found within the
GNU toolchain, which includes the GNU Compiler Collection (GCC) and the
GNU build system.
Amongst others, GCC provides compilers for Ada, C, C++, Java, and Fortran. Proprietary
compilers for Linux include the Intel C++ Compiler, Sun Studio, and IBM XL C/C++
Compiler.
Most distributions also include support for PHP, Perl, Ruby, Python and other
dynamic languages.
A number of Java Virtual Machines and development kits run on Linux, including the
original Sun Microsystems JVM (HotSpot).
The two main frameworks for developing graphical applications are those of GNOME
and KDE.
There are a number of Integrated development environments available including Anjuta
, Code::Blocks, Eclipse, Geany,KDevelop, Lazarus, MonoDevelop, NetBeans, Qt Creator
and Omnis Studio while the long-established editors Vim and Emacs remain popular.
10. Advantages of Linux
● Low Cost: You don’t need to spend time and money to obtain licenses
since Linux and much of its software come with the GNU General Public
License.
● Stability: Linux doesn’t need to be rebooted periodically to maintain
performance levels.
● Performance: Linux provides persistent high performance on
workstations and on networks.
● Network Friendliness: Linux was developed by a group of programmers
over the Internet and has therefore strong support for network
functionality; client and server systems can be easily set up on any
computer running Linux.
● Flexibility: Linux can be used for high performance server applications,
desktop applications, and embedded systems.
● Compatibility: It runs all common Unix software packages and can
process all common file formats.
11. Advantages of Linux
● Choice: The large number of Linux distributions gives you a choice.
● Fast and easy installation: Most Linux distributions come with user-
friendly installation and setup programs.
● Full use of Hardisk: Linux continues work well even when the hard disk
is almost full.
● Multitasking: Linux is designed to do many things at the same time;
e.g., a large printing job in the background won’t slow down your other
work.
● Security: Linux is one of the most secure operating systems. “Walls” and
flexible file access permission systems prevent access by unwanted
visitors or viruses.
● Open Source: If you develop software that requires knowledge or
modification of the operating system code, Linux’s source code is at your
fingertips.
13. Ubuntu
Ubuntu Linux is now perhaps
the best-known and most
popular distribution of Linux.
It is well designed, easy-to-use
and has advanced the use of
Linux as a desktop operating
system more than any other
distribution.
14. Red Hat
Red Hat Linux has been around
for a while and has acquired a
reputation for consistency and
reliability.
It may not be the easiest to
use or the most cutting-edge
distribution, but it provides the
type of high-quality support
that is valued by companies,
which made it the de-facto
standard in corporate America.
15. Fedora
Fedora Core is a Linux
distribution sponsored by Red
Hat.
The objectives of Fedora Linux
differ from those of Red Hat in
that Fedora engages the Open
Source community and is more
experimental in nature.
16. Mandriva
Mandriva Linux has been very
popular among new and home
users.
Installation is particularly user-
friendly, and it runs by default
the KDE Windows-like
graphical desktop
environment.
17. SuSE
SuSE Linux is a serious
alternative for Windows users,
with solid, user-friendly
installation and configuration
tools.
Its popularity is held back a
little only by somewhat “un-
Linux like” business practices,
such as not providing ISO
installation images for free
download.
18. Knoppix
Knoppix provides an excellent
run-from-CD solution, with its
powerful hardware detection
features and pain-free set-up.
If desired, the system can be
optionally installed on the hard
disk to improve performance.
It also comes with plenty of
software.
