Linux Introduction

 Linux is an open-source, Unix-like operating system kernel created by Linus Torvalds in 1991.

 History of Linux

  • 1969-1971 – Unix OS was developed by AT&T Bell Labs (Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie).
  • 1983 – Richard Stallman started the GNU Project to create a free Unix-like OS.
  • 1991 – Linus Torvalds, a student at the University of Helsinki, developed the Linux kernel.
  • 1992 – Linux combined with GNU utilities to form a complete OS (GNU/Linux).
  • 2000s-Present – Linux became the backbone of enterprise servers, cloud computing, and mobile OS (Android is Linux-based).

 Features of Linux

  • Open-Source – Free to use, modify, and distribute.
  • Multi-User – Multiple users can work simultaneously.
  • Multitasking – Supports running multiple applications at once.
  • Security – Offers built-in permissions and user authentication.
  • Portability – Runs on various hardware architectures.
  • Networking – Robust networking support for server and client environments.
  • Shell & Command Line Interface – Powerful scripting and automation capabilities.
  • File System Support – Supports ext4, XFS, Btrfs, ZFS, and more.
  • Package Management – Uses package managers like APT (Debian/Ubuntu) and YUM/DNF (RHEL/CentOS).
  • Customization – Highly configurable with different desktop environments (GNOME, KDE, XFCE).

 Advantages of Linux

  •  Stability & Performance – Linux is reliable and can run for years without rebooting.
  •  Security – Fewer viruses/malware compared to Windows.
  •  Free & Cost-Effective – No licensing fees for most distributions.
  •  Lightweight – Can run on old hardware with minimal resources.
  •  Large Community Support – Active forums, documentation, and open-source contributors.
  •  Enterprise & Cloud Ready – Used in data centers, Kubernetes, Docker, and cloud platforms.
  •  Customizability – Can be modified to fit different needs (embedded systems, desktops, servers).

 The most common Linux operating systems (Linux - distributions):

1. General-Purpose Linux Distributions

  1. Ubuntu – User-friendly, widely used for desktops and servers.
  2. Debian – Stable, community-driven, and the base for Ubuntu.
  3. Fedora – Cutting-edge features, backed by Red Hat.
  4. CentOS Stream – A rolling-release version of RHEL (discontinued in favor of CentOS Stream).
  5. Rocky Linux – A CentOS alternative with RHEL compatibility.
  6. AlmaLinux – Another RHEL alternative for enterprise users.
  7. openSUSE – Known for stability and powerful system management tools.

2. Enterprise & Server Linux Distributions

  1. Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) – Commercial Linux for enterprises with long-term support.
  2. SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) – Enterprise Linux with strong support for cloud and virtualization.
  3. Oracle Linux – Oracle’s RHEL-compatible Linux, optimized for Oracle databases.
  4. Amazon Linux – Optimized for AWS cloud environments.

3. Lightweight & Minimalist Linux Distributions

  1. Arch Linux – Highly customizable, rolling-release distro for advanced users.
  2. Manjaro – A user-friendly version of Arch Linux.
  3. Puppy Linux – Extremely lightweight, ideal for older PCs.
  4. Tiny Core Linux – Minimalistic Linux for small resource usage.
  5. Linux Lite – Lightweight distro based on Ubuntu for old hardware.

4. Security & Privacy-Focused Linux Distributions

  1. Kali Linux – Used for penetration testing and ethical hacking.
  2. Parrot OS – Security-focused OS for forensics and penetration testing.
  3. Tails – Privacy-focused OS that runs from a USB stick, designed for anonymity.
  4. Qubes OS – Security-centric OS using virtual machines for isolation.

5. Specialized & Niche Linux Distributions

  1. Raspberry Pi OS – Optimized for Raspberry Pi single-board computers.
  2. Alpine Linux – Minimalist and security-focused, often used in Docker containers.
  3. Slackware – One of the oldest Linux distributions, for advanced users.
  4. Gentoo – A highly customizable source-based distribution.

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