What is Linux?

Linux is a powerful, open-source operating system that runs everything from smartphones and laptops to servers and supercomputers. If you’ve browsed the web, used an Android device, or interacted with cloud services, you’ve likely benefited from Linux.

The Linux Kernel vs. Linux Operating System

• Kernel: The kernel is the core part of any operating system. It manages hardware resources (CPU, memory, devices) and acts as a bridge between software and hardware. The Linux kernel was created by Linus Torvalds in 1991 and is open source, meaning anyone can view, modify, and distribute its code.
• Operating System (OS): An operating system is a complete set of software that includes the kernel plus system utilities, libraries, and user applications. “Linux” often refers to both the kernel and the many operating systems built on top of it (called “Linux distributions” or “distros”).

Different pieces of Linux

• Bootloader: Manages the computer’s boot process.
• Kernel: The core of the OS that manages the CPU, memory, and devices.
• Init system: The first process after the kernel, controlling system services and daemons.
• Daemons: Background services that run without user interaction.
• Graphical server: Displays the graphical interface on the monitor (e.g., X server).
• Desktop environment: The user-facing graphical interface (e.g., GNOME, KDE).
• Applications: Software programs installed by the user.

Where is Linux Used?

• Over 70% of web servers run Linux.
• Most cloud infrastructure and supercomputers use Linux.
• Many embedded systems (routers, smart TVs, IoT devices) rely on Linux.