3. WHAT IS LINUX
• Linux is PC-UNIX in which the kernel was created for PC/AT compatibles
by Linus Torvalds of Finland. The name is derived from the kernel's creator.
• Linux is, in simplest terms, is an OPERATING SYSTEM.
• It is the software on a computer that enables applications and the computer
operator to access the devices on the computer to perform desired functions.
• Linux is very similar to other operating systems, such as Windows and OS X.
4. BIRTH OF LINUX
• On August 25, 1991, a Finn computer science student named Linus Torvalds made the following
announcement to the Usenet group comp.os.minux:
“I'm doing a (free) operating system for 386(486) AT clones. This has been brewing since april, and is starting to get
ready. I'd like any feedback on things people like/dislike in minix, as my OS resembles it somewhat “
• The “Minix” Torvalds referred to is a variant of the UNIX operating system, used as a guideline for
his free operating system he wanted to run on the x86-based consumer PCs of the day.
• “gnu” refers to the set of GNU tools first put together by Richard Stallman in 1983. UNIX, the
operating system that started it all, had its origins in the old Bell Labs back in the early 60s.
5. • Torvalds built the core of the Linux operating system, known as the kernel.
• A kernel alone does not make an operating system, but Stallman's GNU tools were from a
project to create an operating system as well a project that was missing a kernel to make
Stallman's operating system complete.
• Torvalds' matching of GNU tools with the Linux kernel marked the beginning of the Linux
operating system as it is known today.
• Today, Linux is a multi-billion dollar industry, with companies and governments around the
world taking advantage of the operating system's security and flexibility.
6. • One of the most noted properties of Linux is where it can be used. Windows and
OS X are predominantly found on personal computing devices such as desktop
and laptop computers.
• Other operating systems, such as Symbian, are found on small devices such as
phones and PDAs, while mainframes and supercomputers found in major
academic and corporate labs use specialized operating systems such as AS/400 and
the Cray OS.
• Linux, which began its existence as a server OS and has become useful as a
desktop OS, can also be used on all of these devices. “From wristwatches to
supercomputers,” is the popular description of Linux' capabilities.
WHERE LINUX IS?
8. LICENSING
• Code is contributed to the Linux kernel under a number of licenses, but all
code must be compatible with version 2 of the GNU General Public License
(GPLv2), which is the license covering the kernel distribution as a whole.
• Copyright assignments are not required for code contributed to the kernel.
All code merged into the mainline kernel retains its original ownership; as a
result, the kernel now has thousands of owners.
10. DEVELOPER COMMUNITY
• One of the most compelling features of Linux is that it is accessible to
developers; anybody with the skills can improve Linux and influence the
direction of its development.
• Developer communities can volunteer to maintain and support whole
distributions, such as the Debian or Gentoo Projects.
11. USER COMMUNITY
• User can make valuable contributions to the development of Linux.
• With online communities such as Linux.com, LinuxQuestions, and the many
and varied communities hosted by distributions and applications, the Linux
user base is an often vocal, usually positive advocate and guide for the Linux
operating system.
12. DISTRIBUTION
Although Linux is originally the kernel created by Linus, it does not function as an OS generally available with
only the kernel.
The combination of the kernel and some application software supporting it for use as a OS is called a
"distribution".
TYPES OF DISTRIBUTION:
1. REDHAT SERIES
2. SLACKWARE SERIES
3. DEBIAN SERIES
13. Redhat series:
The main distributions are the following:
Turbo Linux
LASER5 Linux
Kondara MNU/Linux
Vine Linux
Slackware series:
The main distributions are the following:
Slackware
Plamo Linux
Debian series :
The main distribution is the following:
Debian GNU/Linux
14. WHY ONE SHOULD GO FOR LINUX ??
• Free for download: no licensing issues or costs
• Freedom to share with your neighbour
• Impervious to viruses: No need to install Antiviruses
• Easy to use
• Ported to a large number of hardware platforms: x86, x64, ARM, PowerPC,
MIPS, S/390, Super H, AMD x86-64, VAX
• Available in almost any language
• Flexible: can be run on everything from watches to supercomputers
