What exactly Linux means?

Guys, Do you know what is Linux? Don't be confused. It's just like Windows, iOS, and Mac OC, Linux is an operating system.

Content

Introduction
Difference between Linux and Windows
Commonly we use windows instead of Linux for our usually works on our laptops and computers. What are the reasons?
Reasons why Linux is better than windows
Linux distributions
How can I choose the right distribution for me?
Linux OS comprises several parts
What is Kernel on a computer?
What is the Linux Kernel?
The Linux machine has 3 layers.
The file structure in Linux
A list of the most important directories

Linux is free and open-source software. What is it mean? It means that you can use, copy, study, and change the software in any way. Linux is distributed with the source code so anyone can inspect, modify, and enhance. This is the difference between Linux and windows like other OS.

The most popular Linux distributions are Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, openSuse, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server.

Linux is actually everywhere. Do you know Android, is powered by Linux? In your phones, your thermostats, cars, refrigerators are based on Linux.

Difference between Linux and Windows

Linux

Distributions are generally free.
Users can access and alter the code in any way they wish.
Partial hardware support. There are many hardware devices that don't have Linux drivers.
There are many programs that can be run on Linux.
Linux shell is powerful and is used very often.
Linux will be used mostly by experienced users.

Windows

A windows license's cost is nearly a hundred dollars.
Almost every piece of hardware will work on a Windows installation.
There is a large selection of software programs.
Windows command prompt exists, but it is not as nearly as powerful as the one in Linux.
Windows very easy to learn and use.

Commonly we use windows instead of Linux for our usually works on our laptops and computers. Because of bellow reasons. (makeuseof.com)

Linux has a lack of software rather than windows.

Most software companies primarily pour their resources into updating windows and Mac.

If you with a new windows machine in the market you have one choice- Windows 10. Windows have a couple of slight variations, such as Pro, S, and Enterprise but they all are actually the same product. But you're a first time user looking for a new Linux machine, there are well over 250 different Linux distros you can choose form. So you need to study each number of these distros and you can make an informed choice.

Many games never make it to Linux.
Linux is complicated than windows.

Reasons why Linux is better than windows(linuxandubuntu.com)

The most evident advantage is that Linux is free but windows are not.

Linux is more reliable when compared to windows.

Linux systems consume fewer system resources when compared to windows.

For developers, the Linux terminal offers a superior environment when compared to windows.

Linux is almost non- vulnerable and more secure than windows. Microsoft Windows OS is infamous for being vulnerable to malware, trojans, and viruses.

Linux allows full freedom to install open source applications in its vast repository.

When undergoing a software update or installing/uninstalling software on Linux systems normally it does not need a machine reboot. Most of the system configuration changes can be done while the system is up.

As software applications are moving to cloud platforms, windows servers are getting phased out to make room for Linux Servers. The majority of the supercomputers run on Linux.

Photo by Wikipedia

😎Linux distributions

If you are any type of user, Linux has a number of different versions to suit. These versions are called distributions ( short form: "distros") Every distribution of Linux can be downloaded for free.

You can find 100 distributions of Linux on Distrowatch. (Distrowatch.com)

There are many distributions available (over 600), but two major distributions became the foundation for many other distributions.

Red Hat

Debian

Popular Linux Distributions:

LINUX MINT

MANJARO

DEBIAN

UBUNTU

ANTERGOS

SOLUS

FEDORA

ELEMENTARY OS

OPENSUSE

There are server distributions in Linux.

Ubuntu Server-free

Centos-free

Red Hat Enterprise Linux - an associated price

SUSE Enterprise Linux- an associated price

🤨How can I choose the right distribution for me?

Do you want a Desktop or Server?
How skilled a computer user are you?

If your computer skills are fairly basic:

you can use Linux Mint, Ubuntu, Elementary OS or Deepin

If your skills extend into some average range:

you can use Debian or Fedora.

If you have pretty much mastered the craft of computer and system administration:

you can use Gentoo.

If you really want a challenge:

you can build your very own Linux distribution with Linux From Scratch.

If you want Linux for your server, you have to think about it might be a desktop interface or command line.

Do you know, Ubuntu Server does not install a GUI interface but you can install a GUI package on top of the Ubuntu Server with a single command like sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop. Do you want a server-specific distribution, CentOS might be the best choice. Do you want to take a desktop distribution and add the pieces as you need, Debian or Ubuntu Linux might be the best.

😀Linux OS comprises several parts:

Bootloader
kernel
Init system
Daemons
Graphical server
Desktop environment
Applications

🤔What is Kernel on a computer? (en.wikipedia.org)

It is a computer program at the core of a computer's operating system. It controls everything in the system. It is a central part of any OS.

Normally, most kernels are three types: monolithic, microkernel, and hybrid.

😉What is the Linux Kernel? (redhat.com)

Linux is a monolithic kernel. it means the entire OS is working in kernel space and it is alone in supervisor mode.

You can find out the kernel version of your Linux installation, using the uname-a command.

The Kernel controls all the major functions of the hardware, whether it's a phone, laptop, server, or any other kind of computer.

The kernel does 4 jobs.

Memory management: keep track of
- How much memory is used
- Store what
- Where
Process management: Determine
- Which process can use the CPU
- when
- How long
Device drivers: Act as
- mediator(interpreter between the hardware and processes.
System calls and security: Receive requests for service from the processes.

The kernel is invisible to the user. It works in its own world. we called it kernel space. Users can see like files, web browsers, etc. It's called user space. These applications interact with the kernel through a system. It's called Interface.

Think, The kernel is a busy personal assistant for a powerful president (the hardware). The assistant (kernel) has to relay messages and requests (processes) from the public (users) to the president(hardware). Assistant( kernel) have to remember everything that is stored where (memory), and he has to determine who has access to the president at any given time and for how long.

The Linux machine has 3 layers.

The hardware: The physical machine, RAM, CPU, and I/O devices.
The Linux kernel: The core of the OS
User processes: The running programs that the kernel manages.

🤠The file structure in Linux

Everything in Linux is considered a file. It may be a hard disk or a CD-ROM device. Under the root directory, all files and directories have appeared. (Using slash(***/***) symbol)

we can refer to any file or directory using either a full path or a relative path.

full path example(***/home/myfile/abc.txt***)

relative path (/home/myfile/)

or we can refer to the file simply by typing abc.txt

A directory is similar to a folder in windows. It can contain files and other directories. In a special file, hardware devices are stored represented by /dev directory. (ex: /dev/sda)

Here is a list of the most important directories:

/boot – contains files related to the initial booting of the computer.

/bin – contains certain critical executable files, such as ls, cp, and mount.

/dev – contains device files like hard disks or CD-ROMs.

/sbin – similar to /bin, but it contains programs that are normally run only by the system administrator.

/etc – contains configuration files.

/home – user’s home directory.

/lib – contains program libraries.

/media – mount point for removable media.

/usr – contains the majority of user utilities and applications.

/var – variable files such as logs.

/tmp – contains temporary files.