Linux is a Unix-like, open source and community developed operating
system for computer, servers, mainframes, mobile, and devices and embedded
devices
The Linux open source operating
system, or Linux OS, is a freely distributed, cross-platforms operating system
based on Unix that can be installed on PCs, laptop, networks, mobile, and
tablet devices, video game console, servers, supercomputers and more. It is
supported on almost every major computer platform. This operating system
manages the communication between your software and your hardware. Without the
operating system the software wouldn’t function.
Components of Linux system
Linux operating system has primarily
three components
Kernel is the core part of Linux. It is responsible for all major
activities of this operating system. The kernel “is in charge for maintaining
all the vital abstractions of the operating system, together with such things
as virtual memory and process. The Linux kernel forms the central parts of
Linux operating system. It consists of various modules and it interacts
directly with underlying hardware. The kernel implements every feature that is
required to be eligible as operating system.
System library is special functions or programs which using
application programs or system utilities access kernel’s features.
System libraries are [programs through which application van
interrelate through the kernel. And which apply much of the operating system
functionality that does not require the full rights or privileges of kernels
code. Also these libraries implements most of the functionalities of the
operating system and do not require kernel module’s code access right.
System utilities are the programs that execute individual,
particular and specialized managing tasks. Utility programs are responsible to
do specialized, individual level tasks.
Basic Features
Following are some of the
important features of Linux Operating System.
Portable −
Portability means software can works on different types of hardware in same
way. Linux kernel and application programs support their installation on any
kind of hardware platform.
Open Source −
Linux source code is freely available and it is community based development
project. Multiple teams work in collaborate to
enhance the capability of Linux operating system and it is evolving.
Open sources follows the
following key philosophies
1) The
freedom to run program, for any purpose
2) The
freedom to study how the program works, and change it to make it do what you
wish
3) The
freedom to distribute copies so you can help your neighbor
4) The
freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions to others.
Multi-User: Linux is a multiuser system means multiple users can access
system resource like memory / ram / application at same time.
Multitasking: Linux has the ability to handle more than one job at
a time, say for example you have executed a command for sorting for a huge list
and simultaneously typing in notepad. This is managed by dividing the CPU time
intelligently by the implementation of scheduling policies and the concept of
context switching.
Security: security is very important
part of any OS, for the organization /user who is using the system for their
confidential works, Linux does provide several security concepts for protecting
their users from unauthorized access of their data and system.
Live CD/USB: Almost all
Linux distribution have live CD/USB feature by which user can run/try the OS
even without installing it on the system.
Graphical user
interface (X Window System): People
think that Linux is a command line OS, somewhere its true also but not
necessarily, Linux have packages which can be installed to make the whole OS
graphics based as Windows.
The
most popular Linux distributions are:
1.
Linux Mint 2.
Debian
3.
Ubuntu 4.
openSUSE
5.
Manjaro 6.
Fedora
7.
Zorin 8. Elementary
9.
CentOS 10.
Arch Linux
well done
ReplyDeletemr kernel