Comparison of user features of operating systems: Difference between revisions

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Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting [[system software]] and [[library (computer science)|libraries]], many of which are provided by the [[GNU Project]]. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the [[Free Software Foundation]] uses the name "'''GNU/Linux'''" to emphasize the importance of [[GNU]] software, [[GNU/Linux naming controversy|causing some controversy]].<ref name="linux-and-gnu">{{cite web | url = https://www.gnu.org/gnu/linux-and-gnu.html | title = Linux and the GNU System | publisher = Gnu.org | access-date = 1 September 2013 | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170319145123/http://www.gnu.org/gnu/linux-and-gnu.html | archive-date = 19 March 2017 }}</ref>

Popular Linux distributions<ref>{{cite web|url=http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major |title=DistroWatch.com: Put the fun back into computing. Use Linux, BSD. |last=DistroWatch |website=distrowatch.com |access-date=30 December 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402195650/http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major |archive-date=2 April 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cio.com/article/3023349/linux/best-linux-distros-of-2016-something-for-everyone.html|title=Best Linux distros of 2016: Something for everyone|last=Bhartiya|first=Swapnil|newspaper=CIO|access-date=30 December 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231170119/http://www.cio.com/article/3023349/linux/best-linux-distros-of-2016-something-for-everyone.html|archive-date=31 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tecmint.com/linux-distributions/|title=10 Most Used Linux Distributions of All Time|website=TecMint|date=26 May 2021 |access-date=6 February 2023}}</ref> include [[Debian]], [[Fedora (operating system)|Fedora]], and [[Ubuntu]]. Commercial distributions include [[Red Hat Enterprise Linux]] and [[SUSE Linux Enterprise Server]]. Desktop Linux distributions include a [[windowing system]] such as [[X11]] or [[Wayland (display server protocol)|Wayland]], and a [[desktop environment]] such as [[GNOME]] or [[KDE Plasma 5|KDE Plasma]]. Distributions intended for [[server (computing)|servers]] may omit [[computer graphics|graphics]] altogether, or include a [[solution stack]] such as [[LAMP (software bundle)|LAMP]]. Because Linux is freely redistributable, anyone may create a distribution for any purpose.<ref name="what">{{Cite web|title=What is Linux?|url=https://opensource.com/resources/linux|website=Opensource.com|language=en|access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>

Linux was originally developed for personal computers based on the [[Intel x86]] architecture, but has since been [[porting|ported]] to more [[computer hardware platforms|platforms]] than any other operating system.<ref>{{cite news |author=Barry Levine |title=Linux' {{sic|22|th|nolink=yes}} Birthday Is Commemorated – Subtly – by Creator |url=http://www.cmswire.com/cms/information-management/linux-22th-birthday-is-commemorated-subtly-by-creator-022244.php |access-date=10 May 2015 |publisher=Simpler Media Group, Inc |date=26 August 2013 |quote="Originally developed for Intel x86-based PCs, Torvalds' "hobby" has now been released for more hardware platforms than any other OS in history." |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518155152/http://www.cmswire.com/cms/information-management/linux-22th-birthday-is-commemorated-subtly-by-creator-022244.php |archive-date=18 May 2015}}</ref> Because of the dominance of the Linux-based [[Android (operating system)|Android]] on [[smartphone]]s, {{as of|2023|January|lc=y}}, Linux also has the [[Usage share of operating systems|largest]] [[installed base]] of all [[general-purpose operating system]]s.<ref name="statcounter-os" /><ref name="marketshare.hitslink.com">{{cite web|url=http://marketshare.hitslink.com/operating-system-market-share.aspx?qprid=8&qpcustomd=1&qptimeframe=M|title=NetMarketShare:Mobile/Tablet Operating System Market Share|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006070701/http://marketshare.hitslink.com/operating-system-market-share.aspx?qprid=8&qpcustomd=1&qptimeframe=M|archive-date=6 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=McPherson|first=Amanda|date=13 December 2012|title=What a Year for Linux: Please Join us in Celebration|url=http://www.linuxfoundation.org/news-media/blogs/browse/2012/12/what-year-linux-please-join-us-celebration|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417232521/http://www.linuxfoundation.org/news-media/blogs/browse/2012/12/what-year-linux-please-join-us-celebration|archive-date=17 April 2014|access-date=16 April 2014|publisher=Linux Foundation}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.linuxfordevices.com/c/a/News/Trolltech-rolls-complete-Linux-smartphone-stack/ |title=Trolltech rolls "complete" Linux smartphone stack |access-date=12 January 2017 |last=Linux Devices |date=28 November 2006 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120525231448/http://www.linuxfordevices.com/c/a/News/Trolltech-rolls-complete-Linux-smartphone-stack/ |archive-date=25 May 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Although it is, {{as of|2023|January|lc=y}}, used by only around 2.9 percent of [[desktop computer]]s,<ref name="statcounter-desktop" /> the [[Chromebook]], which runs the Linux kernel-based [[ChromeOS]], dominates the US [[K–12]] education market and represents nearly 20 percent of sub-$300 [[Laptop|notebook]] sales in the US.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zdnet.com/article/chromebook-shipments-leap-by-67-percent/|title=Chromebook shipments leap by 67 percent|author=Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols|work=ZDNet|access-date=29 September 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929055809/http://www.zdnet.com/article/chromebook-shipments-leap-by-67-percent/|archive-date=29 September 2015}}</ref> Linux is the leading operating system on servers (over 96.4% of the top 1&nbsp;million web servers' operating systems are Linux),<ref>{{cite web|title=OS Market Share and Usage Trends|url=http://www.w3cook.com/os/summary/|website=W3Cook.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150806093859/http://www.w3cook.com/os/summary|archive-date=6 August 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> leads other [[Big iron (computing)|big iron]] systems such as [[mainframe computer]]s, and is the only OS used on [[TOP500]] [[supercomputer]]s (since November 2017, having gradually eliminated all competitors).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/linux-totally-dominates-supercomputers/ |title=Linux totally dominates supercomputers |last=Vaughan-Nichols |first=Steven J. |year=2017 |publisher=ZDNet |publication-date=14 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114211600/http://www.zdnet.com/article/linux-totally-dominates-supercomputers/ |archive-date=14 November 2017 |access-date=25 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/2766282/ibm-s-newest-mainframe-is-all-linux.html |title=IBM's newest mainframe is all Linux |last=Thibodeau |first=Patrick |year=2009 |publisher=[[Computerworld]] |publication-date=9 December 2009 |access-date=6 February 2023}}</ref><ref name="rules_supercomputers">{{cite news | title = Linux rules supercomputers | url = https://www.forbes.com/home/enterprisetech/2005/03/15/cz_dl_0315linux.html | last = Lyons | first = Daniel | access-date = 22 February 2007 | work = Forbes | date = 15 March 2005 | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070224235804/http://www.forbes.com/home/enterprisetech/2005/03/15/cz_dl_0315linux.html | archive-date = 24 February 2007 }}</ref>