Linux

Linux is the name given to a series of Unix-like operating systems under the GNU GPL (General Public License) that are mostly free and include everything needed to run a PC. One unique feature is that we can install a very lightweight system and then add everything necessary as we need it.

What is Linux?

Linux is multi-user, multi-tasking, and cross-platform. It can also run in console mode for minimal resource consumption, but we can also run it with a graphical environment by installing one through terminal commands or by acquiring a package that includes one. If you want to try it, you can use a virtual machine before installing it on your PC.

 

Open Source

Being open source means we can use, copy, modify, and redistribute it freely for any purpose we want, but always under the terms of the GNU GPL license. An example is Android, which uses the Linux kernel but does not include GNU components; instead, it is customized for the mobile phones or tablets that use it.

 

History

Linux began its journey in the world of free software around 1980 with the idea of creating a free operating system based on Unix, initially called Minix. However, its inventor, Linus Torvalds, was not satisfied with it and ended up creating his own version in 1991. Linus Torvalds, along with Richard Stallman, has contributed significantly to the development of GNU-licensed packages and created the Free Software Foundation, which promotes free software, and the Linux Foundation, which Microsoft is also a part of. The symbol that represents GNU is a gnu, while Linux is represented by the friendly penguin named Tux.

Actually, Linux refers to the kernel of this operating system. For those knowledgeable in the field, the different versions of this operating system are commonly referred to as distros, short for distributions, which are essentially this kernel with added applications and programs to build a complete operating system with many functions.

 

What is it used for?

Linux is used to run all the hardware of a PC, as a computer cannot function without an operating system, and Linux is a free operating system. Linux is present in many computers sold without an operating system, but this is not legal in Spain, as a PC without an operating system is not functional. Many manufacturers choose to include a version or distro of Linux.

This operating system is also known for controlling supercomputers or servers, which is where Linux really gains importance. Most of the world's most important supercomputers use some GNU/Linux system, making it suitable for controlling supercomputers with specific tasks, thanks to its customization capabilities.

Linux is also widely used as a Live operating system, which allows you to boot a PC without the need to install any operating system or use the built-in hard drive. This system, which is usually quite lightweight, loads into memory and is very useful for data recovery and disk partition management during a disaster. With some integrated utility in a Linux distro that can run Live, we can attempt to fix the issues caused or manage partitions similarly to how Diskpart does it, but without needing to install anything.

Another use of a Live Linux system is Wi-Fi network auditing. Although it was more commonly used to crack passwords for insecure Wi-Fi networks to gain free internet access, it became widespread during the boom of home Wi-Fi networks. With the necessary knowledge (although thousands of tutorials later appeared online) and a live Linux distribution running the WiFiSlax application, you could gain the password for some networks you could access for their internet connection or even their shared data.

Linux is present in many devices we use daily, such as Android phones, NAS devices, some routers, televisions, TV boxes, calculators, or even the Large Hadron Collider, which operates on a specific distribution called Scientific Linux, later replaced by CentOS. Microsoft has also started to include the kernel of this system in Windows 10.

 

How is the Linux operating system used?

Each version of the Linux operating system manages hardware resources, launches and manages applications, and provides some form of user interface. The vast development community and the wide range of distributions mean that a version of Linux is available for almost any task, and Linux has penetrated many areas of computing.

For example, Linux has emerged as a popular operating system for web servers like Apache, as well as for network operations, scientific computing tasks that require enormous computing clusters, running databases, desktop/endpoint computing, and mobile devices running versions of the operating system like Android.

 

What are its components?

The Linux operating system follows a modular design, which is key to its many variations and distributions. A bootloader is responsible for starting the Linux kernel. The kernel is at the core of the Linux system, managing network access, scheduling processes or applications, administering basic peripheral devices, and overseeing filesystem services.

However, it is primarily the many external developers and GNU projects that provide high-level functions to the Linux kernel, resulting in a fully realized operating system. For example, there are modules to provide a command-line interface, implement a graphical user interface, manage security, offer video or audio input services, and many others, each of which can be modified and optimized to create unique distributions for specific tasks.

The package manager software typically adds, updates, or removes software components under the Linux operating system. Examples of package managers include dpkg, OpenPKG, RPM Package Manager, and Zero Install.

 

When to use Linux?

Linux is an excellent alternative if you want to use PHP, Perl, Python, Ruby, or MySQL. If you are looking for solutions for main sites, applications like blogs, content management systems, or discussion forums, Linux hosting offers various open-source applications, while Windows web hosting software is often paid.

In 1993, Microsoft launched Windows Server, an operating system for server use. This is a paid software that also includes support and updates for a specific period. A significant advantage that Windows hosting has had over a Linux variant is the support for the high-performance ASP.NET framework, whose new version is also compatible with Linux.

However, applications like SharePoint or Exchange remain exclusive, helping to considerably simplify collaborative work for project development. While there are open-source applications for Linux that serve similar purposes, they are not as popular in the business environment.

 

Contrast with Windows

In contrast to Windows, the philosophy of Linux is to keep the operating system structure as simple as possible. Thus, all components, including hardware and processes, are treated as files, and adjustments to the system kernel can be made at any time. There are many tools for system configuration and administration, and these are typically available through command lines, but also in GUI (graphical user interface) for almost all applications. The greatest freedoms are tied to significant responsibility, which can overwhelm less experienced users.