Linux Operating System:

Linux is one of popular version of UNIX operating System. It is open source as its source
code is freely available. It is free to use. Linux was designed considering UNIX compatibility.
Its functionality list is quite similar to that of UNIX.

Components of Linux System:

Linux Operating System has primarily three components

 Kernel − Kernel is the core part of Linux. It is responsible for all major activities of
this operating system. It consists of various modules and it interacts directly with the
underlying hardware.

 System Library − System libraries are special functions or programs using which
application programs or system utilities accesses Kernel's features. These libraries
implement most of the functionalities of the operating system and do not requires
kernel module's code access rights.

 System Utility − System 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 supports 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 collaboration to enhance the capability
of Linux operating system and it is continuously evolving.

 Multi-User − Linux is a multiuser system means multiple users can access system
resources like memory/ ram/ application programs at same time.

 Multiprogramming − Linux is a multiprogramming system means multiple

applications can run at same time.

 Hierarchical File System − Linux provides a standard file structure in which system
files/ user files are arranged.

 Shell − Linux provides a special interpreter program which can be used to execute
commands of the operating system. It can be used to do various types of operations,
call application programs. etc.
  Security − Linux provides user security using authentication features like password
protection/ controlled access to specific files/ encryption of data.

Linux Operating System History:

Linux was created starting in 1991 by the Finnish computer programmer Linux Torvalds, who
was seeking to build a version of the Unix operating system compatible with desktop
computers running on Intel processors. Unix is an operating system initially developed at
AT&T's Bell Labs, the phone company's storied R&D unit, in the 1970s, and though the term
is still a trademark, it's now often used generically for other systems inspired by and largely
compatible with the original Unix.
When Red Hat released its commercial version of Linux packaged with tech support and
documentation, the floodgates broke and the majority of the public became aware of Linux and
its capabilities. Now more and more new users are willing to try Linux on their personal PCs
and business users are willing to use Linux to run their networks. Linux has become the latest
phenomenon to hit the PC software market. Linux is a unique operating system in that it is an
active participant in the Open Source Software movement. Linux is legally covered by the
GNU General Public License, also known as GPL.

Major Difference between Linux & Window Operating System:

There are major difference between linux ad window operating system.
1. Reduces the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome
When linux is properly installed, there no longer a need to use the mouse. Chances of you using
a mouse is close to zero.

2. Use the extra cash for rewards

Linux is 100% free while Windows Vista Ultimate costs $398.99 at the time of writing.
Companies that pay a licensing annually could have used the money for other things like buying
an additional server to reduce the load or even give a bigger bonus to its loyal employees.
3. Formats are free, freedom is preserved
Linux file formats can be accessed in a variety of ways because they are free. Windows on the
other hand makes you lock your own data in secret formats that can only be accessed with tools
leased to you at the vendor’s price.
4. Non violating license agreements
Linux is open source so you are unlikely to violate any license agreement. All the software is
happily yours. With MS Windows you likely already violate all kinds of licenses and you could
be pronounced a computer pirate if only a smart lawyer was after you. The worldwide PC
software piracy rate for 2004 is at 35%. Which means that 3 out of 10 people are likely to get
into real trouble.

5. Transparent vs Proprietary
MS Windows is based on DOS, Linux is based on UNIX. MS Windows Graphical User
Interface (GUI) is based on Microsoft-own marketing-driven specifications. Linux GUI is
based on industry-standard network-transparent X-Windows.

6. Better network, processing capabilities

Linux beats Windows hands down on network features, as a development platform, in data
processing capabilities, and as a scientific workstation. MS Windows desktop has a more
polished appearance, simple general business applications, and many more games for kids (less
intellectual games compared to linux’s).

7. Customizable
Linux is customizable in a way that Windows is not. For example, NASlite is a version of
Linux that runs off a single floppy disk and converts an old computer into a file server. This
ultra small edition of Linux is capable of networking, file sharing and being a web server.
8. Flexibility
Windows must boot from a primary partition. Linux can boot from either a primary partition
or a logical partition inside an extended partition. Windows must boot from the first hard disk.
Linux can boot from any hard disk in the computer.

9. Mobility
Windows allows programs to store user information (files and settings) anywhere. This makes
it impossibly hard to backup user data files and settings and to switch to a new computer. In
contrast, Linux stores all user data in the home directory making it much easier to migrate from
an old computer to a new one. If home directories are segregated in their own partition, you
can even upgrade from one version of Linux to another without having to migrate user data
and settings.

10.Proven Security
Why isn’t Linux affected by viruses? Simply because its code has been open source for more
than a decade, tested by people all around the world, and not by a single development team like
in the case of Windows. This leads to a lightning fast finding and fixing for exploitable holes
in Linux. So that my friends, proves Linux as having an extremely enhanced security and lesser
chances of exploits compared to Windows.
Types of LINUX Operating Systems:

RedHat Linux
Lately, RedHat has been making the headlines with it's Linux distribution. It is one of the most
popular distributions out there right now, and supports the Intel, Alpha, and SPARC platforms.
Many users prefer RedHat Linux because of its ease of use, installation, and live tech support.
RedHat Linux primarily comes bundled with the X Windows System, GNOME and KDE
desktop environments, as well as the StarOffice suite.

• Linux Mandrake
Yet another rather popular distribution is Linux Mandrake. Similar to RedHat, it also bundles
the X Windows System, GNOME, KDE, and StarOffice. What really distances Mandrake from
RedHat Linux is its improved ease of use plus a few added extra tools and utilities.

•Corel Linux
Although less popular than something like RedHat, Corel Linux continues to shine with its
usability and ease of installation through its Install Express. It comes with only the KDE
environment, but also includes WordPerfect for Linux instead of Sun's StarOffice.

•Debian/GNU
Debian/GNU is intended for the more advanced Linux users out there. Although it is more
difficult to use than other distributions, Debian/GNU is frequently chosen for web server
purposes. Its stability and web adminstration tools are the reason many webmasters rely on
Debian/GNU for their server environment.

•Slackware
As one of the first distributions of Linux created, Slackware continues to be fairly popular. It
also includes the usual X Window System, GNOME, and KDE. Slackware boasts excellent
stability, at the expense of less updated code and more intermediate to advanced user appeal.

• SuSE Linux
If you're looking full feature bundles with your Linux distribution, try SuSE Linux. Originally
created by German programmers, this distribution has become quite popular in Europe and is
gaining much recognition in the United States..

•Caldera Open Linux

Primarily designed for the business and power user, Caldera Linux focuses on internet
applications. It includes a full collection of internet connectivity and access tools, and helps
anyone take full of advantage of the internet through Linux.