Linux is an operating system with several key components:
- A kernel that manages system resources and processes. Processes allow programs to run in memory simultaneously.
- Files and directories that organize data. Directories contain files and other directories.
- Tools like tar for backing up files and mounting disks. The mount command attaches filesystems.
- A shell interface for entering commands to interact with the system, along with utilities like ls, cp, and man.
- Permissions and variables that control access and store values for commands.