Linux is an open-source operating system kernel created in 1991 by Linus Torvalds as a free alternative to Minix. It sits underneath other software and receives requests from programs to relay to computer hardware. The Linux kernel now contains over 53,000 source files and 21 million lines of code contributed by 3,900 developers worldwide, with 10,800 new lines added daily. While primarily used for servers and phones/tablets currently, Linux has a bright future and may expand into new, unpredictable market areas.