Exclusive | Article Index |
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| What Is Linux: An Overview of the Linux Operating System |
| The Future of Linux |
| The Birth of Linux |
| The Code |
| Licensing, Community, and Development |
| The Business of Linux |
| All Pages |
The Code
Linux is also unique from other operating systems in that it has no single owner. Torvalds still manages the development of the Linux kernel, but commercial and private developers contribute other software to make the whole Linux operating system.
In this section, the parts of the Linux operating system will be examined.
The Kernel
All operating systems have kernels, built around the architectural metaphor that there must be a central set of instructions to direct device hardware, surrounded by various modular layers of functionality. The Linux kernel is unique and flexible because it is also modular in nature.
Modularity is desirable because it allows developers to shed parts of the kernel they don't need to use. Typically a smaller kernel is a faster kernel, because it isn't running processes it does not need. If a device developer wants a version of Linux to run on a cell phone, she does not need the kernel functionality that deals with disk drives, Ethernet devices, or big monitor screens. She can pull out those pieces (and others), leaving just the optimized kernel to use for the phone.   |  |
The kernel of the Window operating system (which few people outside of Microsoft are allowed to look at without paying for the privilege) is a solidly connected piece of code, unable to be easily broken up into pieces. It is difficult (if not impossible) to pare down the Windows kernel to fit on a phone.
This modularity is significant to the success of Linux. The ability to scale down (or up) to meet the needs of a specific platform is a big advantage over other operating systems constrained to just a few possible platforms.
Modularity also effects stability and security as well. If one piece of the kernel code happens to fail, the rest of the kernel will not crash. Similarly, an illicit attack on one part of the kernel (or the rest of the operating system) might hamper that part of the code, but should not compromise the security of the whole device.
The Operating System
Developers need special tools (like the compilers and command lines found in GNU) to write applications that can talk to the kernel. They also need tools and applications to make it easy for outside applications to access the kernel after the application is written and installed.
This collective set of tools, combined with a kernel, is known as the operating system. It is generally the lowest layer of the computer's software that is accessible by the average user. General users get to the operating system when they access the command line.
Linux provides powerful tools with which to write their applications: developer environments, editors, and compilers are designed to take a developer's code and convert it to something that can access the kernel and get tasks done.
Like the kernel, the Linux operating system is also modular. Developers can pick and choose the operating tools to provide users and developers with a new flavor of Linux designed to meet specific tasks.
The Environments
The windows, menus, and dialog boxes most people think of as part of the operating system are actually separate layers, known as the windowing system and the desktop environment.
These layers provide the human-oriented graphical user interface (GUI) that enables users to easily work with applications in the operating system and third-party applications to be installed on the operating system.
In Linux, there a lot of choices for which windowing system and desktop environment can be used, something that Linux allows users to decide. This cannot be done in Windows and it's difficult to do in OS X.
Like the operating system and kernel, there are tools and code libraries available that let application developers to more readily work with these environments (e.g., gtk+ for GNOME, Qt for KDE).
The Applications
Operating systems have two kinds of applications: those that are essential components of the operating system itself, and those that users will install later. Closed operating systems, like Windows and OS X, will not let users (or developers) pick and choose the essential component applications they can use. Windows developers must use Microsoft's compiler, windowing system, and so on.
Linux application developers have a larger set of choices to develop their application. This allows more flexibility to build an application, but it does mean a developer will need to decide which Linux components to use.
The Distributions
This is the highest layer of the Linux operating system: the container for all of the aforementioned layers. A distribution's makers have decided which kernel, operating system tools, environments, and applications to include and ship to users.
Distributions are maintained by private individuals and commercial entities. A distribution can be installed using a CD that contains distribution-specific software for initial system installation and configuration. For the users, most popular distributions offer mature application management systems that allow users to search, find, and install new applications with just a few clicks of the mouse.
There are, at last count, over 350 distinct distributions of Linux.
Comments
Subscribe to Comments Feedphanikumar Said:
it is a nice matter
zoya Said:
really it helped me a lot
RAJU.R.K Said:
dis is a very important to made up use the people and hence i think its a superb operating system of a computer........ Thank u......
sujit Said:
what cloud computing?
AlagZ Said:
Cloud computing is nothing but storing the data in a central pool where multiple users can store and retrieve their data through the internet. This system is useful to store confidential data and also to reduce the space used in the personal system .
Abhishek Said:
Hi I am confused for totaly for linux. and what is future of linux
choji F.D. Said:
Wow! linux. What an amazing OS!
rohit soni Said:
Chutiya hai........
surya Said:
how to operate it?
chris adkins Said:
ask lil b, lil b is all knowing and is based as fuck and knows the based god, ask him...
KOBI Said:
LINUX IS GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Roberto Pizano Said:
Linux may be good but, is not so easy to understand at the beginning, be honest is not a piece of cake.
Junior. Ombi Said:
I want to know the procedures to install ,Configure and Use it
Alve Said:
How can i get Linux operating system
jayant Said:
tooooooooo short.................
HARSHALA Said:
hmmm.........gud ya
ammrin Said:
cloud computing doesn't relate to the content published above but fr the sake of knowledge , it is a service provided 2 u through internet based on pay as u go paradigm
Don 1 Said:
Hmmmm dis people wll kill as wth their Technology oo
b Said:
yes interesting
Zoix Said:
Zoix: It is nice that you include examples on where to use Linux OS.
johnny Said:
Will have to try this Linux out, sounds like you have more control of your device or PC, maybe I could get to enjoy PCs again, so fed up with that other system.
deenachandra kshetri Said:
ITZ 2 SHOT.................. I WAN MORE DETAILS
pamodya Said:
good
supun sudarsha batuwaththa Said:
boruwadA GANDA APA
ali raza Said:
it is general os
me Said:
"In THE simplest terms" it is an operating system kernel, the most important component of an OS. But it isn't a whole operating system yet.
amit Said:
Its a nice operating system to work on....
HITESH BANASURE Said:
Excellent pltform for network......
Darshan Ram Said:
The problem with linux is they have too many version unlike windows.They also need to brighten up by advertising or something.Create something that windows or mac doesnt have and for sure it will be a sucess.
aditi singh Said:
whats the difference between linux and unix..?
Bazza Said:
Is Linux an operating system? I thought it is the KERNEL.
Aizenmyou Said:
@Bazza Stallman likes to confuse people. Linux is by definition the operating system layer. GNU's programs are the userland or application layer.
Jimmy Said:
Differencies between linux and unix
andraexs Said:
live freedom with linux.. i love it
mani Said:
gud1
Deepak Bawa Said:
Ubuntu E-mail this Term A community-developed Linux-based operating system that can be used on desktops, laptops and servers. The operating system includes a variety of applications including those for word processing, e-mail applications, Web server software and also programming tools. Ubuntu is free of charge, including enterprise releases and security updates. It also comes with full commercial support from Canonical. Ubuntu is available in both a desktop and server edition. here's the link http://thepiratebay.se/torrent/7739177/
hitesh vora Said:
thek have....maja no aavi.....
Akanksha Kalla Said:
I found some more relevant questions with their appropriate answers on linux. http://blog.oureducation.in/linux-os/ this site is really helpful. I suggest you all to just check this site once.
lori38 Said:
First of all I have a Samsung Tablet 8.1 and alot of applications that I'd like to download just wont happen. I click on the "download" button, but when I go to open the app./file it tells me "cannot open file". My first question is WHY? Why will it not open, cause i know it downloaded cause when I go into my account before the download it shows me my data usage and after the download is complete I recheck my data usage and its exactly the amount of the app. more. Second ques. I went to download a tool bar from swagbucks and at the top of the page it says "wont work on Linux". What does this mean? I've tried downoading toolbars when I first got my tablet but they just never took. I never could figure out why. Maybe someone out there can help me with my dilema. Plz and Tk U.
abzgal'z Said:
I want more about LINUX for my report. about their capacity, and how many application can apply or install... thank you!
Ratiranjan nayak Said:
LInux is very good . I like linux very much............ I want to know much more about u.......................
sonu Said:
linux is very good
LEIGH BARTON Said:
LINUX is what an operating system is supposed to be, bootable from a live operating system disk, easily installed, the newer versions have graphical user interfaces that make them manageable for unaccustomed users like me, that were taught on basic dos systems. The inclusion of the technically minded in the development approach may hopefully lead to the standardization of operating system function to permit normal people the opportunity to improve the potential of their own computers, and by extension the capability of personal computers in general, unlike Windows, which seems bent on making it impossible for even the best technicians to keep the boat-anchors from sinking. I've already used the live operating system disk to repair failed windows systems for people that would otherwise not have been able to afford the necessary technical support. Windows keeps failing more frequently, and getting progressively more expensive to service. LINUX seems to be the TIMEX of operating systems, ("takes a licking and keeps on ticking") and seems to be the next step in the chain if people like me are going to be able to keep using computers without a million dollar bankroll. It's a premium technical asset, and it seems a lot of catching-up is on my own plate in order to learn how to use it properly. To the creators of LINUX, well done, that's one small step for man, and one giant leap for mankind. compliments.
granpa Said:
Dear leight, will you be so kind and explaine ,,I have OS windows 7 can i dowloded OS. Linux and whot I can got? Thanks. Trgards.Andrew
TechTr Said:
Since when linux is a OS? even though this is for newbies but you should not mislead people. Linux is only the kernel, the other things which makes up the OS is not linux!
durjan rathore barmer Said:
explain the concept of linux its components ?
haddey.hms Said:
oh my god am totally confused..,1 wat z the purposes of linux
Aizenmyou Said:
As I said above, Stallman likes to confuse people. Linux is by definition the operating system layer. GNU's programs are the userland or application layer. Anyone who is not a newb knows this. (People with actual computer science degrees)
Spanzy Said:
I am kinda confused down here
fast1 Said:
Linux is great...I've just bought a 10inch tablet running Linux. 64bit. SW