Introduction To Linux Operating System
* Linux is an open-source operating system. It is like Windows, Mac, Android, etc.
*Unix is also an Operating system like Linux. It is an Commercial OS. It consists of three parts: Kernel, Shell and Programs. Most of the Unix and Linux commands are similar in nature.
*Linux is a community of open-source Unix like operating systems that are based on the Linux Kernel.
*It was initially released by Linus Torvalds on September 17, 1991.
*It is a free and open-source operating system and the source code can be modified and distributed to anyone commercially and non-commercially.
*Initially, Linux was created for Personal Computers and Gradually it was used in other machines like servers, mainframe computers, supercomputers, etc.
*Now-a-days, Linux is also used in embedded Systems like routers, automation controls, televisions, digital video game consoles, smart watches etc.
*The biggest success of Linux is Android(Operating System)it is based on the Linux Kernel that is running on smart phones and tablets.
*Due to android Linux has the largest installed base of all general-purpose operating systems.
*Linux is generally packaged in a Linux distribution.
*Windows is only used for Personal Computers.
*Linux is used in any electronic devices(machines).
*Linux is more secure than Windows.
KERNEL:
*A computer needs both software and hardware to do anything.
*There has to be a layer of software that operates the hardware at a low-level.
*The kernel responds to system calls. These are called by different parts of the operating system to get the actual physical hardware to do things.
*For Example, whenever you compile and run c code, your c library uses system calls.
WHAT IS LINUX KERNEL:
*"Linux" is a kernel created in 1991 by Linus Torvalds.
*It's been in constant development since then and is now at version 5.11.12
*It's used in desktops, laptops, smartphones, servers and many more devices.
WHAT MAKES LINUX SPECIAL:
*It's open source, anyone can see the code and download the code and compile the code.
*It's free software, anyone can share the code and finished kernel, and do anything they want with it.
*It's fast, Linux is consistently more efficient and faster than most other kernels in main stream OS.
*Because it's free and open source, Linux has become the de-facto standard for any specialized OS that requires efficiency.
*This is all because anyone can download, the source code and compile Linux the way they want it.
*Meaning any necessary features can be removed making system more efficient.
HOW DOES LINUX WORK:
*Just as any other kernel, Linux accepts system calls to perform functions.
*Linux also utilizes "kernel modules" to handle which parts of the kernel to activate or deactivate.
*These can be either disabled, enabled or rendered toggle-able(change it's binary state) at compile time.
*An example of a Linux kernel module is "pcspkr" .
*This can be enabled or disabled with the "modprobe" command.
*If disabled, your PC speaker will no longer make annoying bleeping noises.
NEGATIVES OF LINUX:
*Linux is very monolithic, even more than windows NT and MacOS Darwin Kernel.
*This means that a lot more is built into the Linux kernel that is on other kernel.
*This includes GPU drivers and drivers for peripherals like pen tablets.
*Linux is developed very rapidly.
*This means that if you choose to always use the latest kernel, you may encounter stability or security issues.