Linux: Difference between revisions

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A '''Linux'''-based ({{IPAc-en | audio=Linus-linux.ogg|ˈ|l|ɪ|n|ə|k|s}} {{respell|LIN|əks}}<ref>{{cite web | url = http://safalra.com/science/linguistics/linux-pronunciation/ | title = Pronunciation of ‘Linux’ | last = Safalra | date = 14 April 2007 | work = Safalra’s Website | accessdate =15 September 2009}}</ref><ref name="Foldoc09Jun06">{{cite web | url = http://foldoc.org/linux | title = Linux | accessdate =15 September 2009 | last = Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing | year = 2006 | month = June }}</ref> or {{IPAc-en|ˈ|l|ɪ|n|ʊ|k|s}} {{respell|LIN|uuks}})<ref>{{ cite newsgroup | newsgroups = comp.os.linux | title = Re: How to pronounce ''Linux''? | id = [e-mail] | date = 23 April 1992 | accessdate =9 January 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.paul.sladen.org/pronunciation/ | title = How to pronounce Linux? | accessdate =17 December 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/SillySounds/ | title = Linus pronouncing Linux in English and Swedish | accessdate =20 January 2007 }}</ref> [[operating system]] is a [[Unix-like]] computer operating system assembled under the model of [[free and open source software]] development and distribution. The defining component of a Linux-based operating system is the [[Linux kernel]], an [[operating system kernel]] first released 5 October 1991 by [[Linus Torvalds]].<ref>{{ cite newsgroup | title = Free minix-like kernel sources for 386-AT | author = Linus Benedict Torvalds | date = 5 October 1991 | newsgroup = comp.os.minix | id = | url = http://groups.google.com/group/comp.os.minix/msg/2194d253268b0a1b?pli=1 | accessdate =30 September 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = What Is Linux: An Overview of the Linux Operating System | url = https://www.linux.com/learn/resource-center/376-linux-is-everywhere-an-overview-of-the-linux-operating-system | publisher = Linux Foundation | date = 3 April 2009 | accessdate =15 August 2011 }}</ref>

The term ''Linux'' properly refers to just the operating system kernel itself. However, in popular parlance ‘Linux’ is used to refer to a complete [[Linux Distribution]] which includes [[GUI]] components and many other utilities, many of which are supplied by the [[GNU Project]]. [[Android (operating system)|Android]], for example also uses the Linux kernel but includes different components from most desktop Linux distributions.

The term ''Linux'' properly refers to just the operating system kernel, which by itself is rather unfunctional and limited<ref>Linus Torvalds: ''Sadly, a kernel by itself gets you nowhere. To get a working system you need a shell, compilers, a library etc. These are separate parts and may be under a stricter (or even looser) copyright. Most of the tools used with linux are GNU software [...]'' [http://ftp.funet.fi/pub/linux/historical/kernel/old-versions/RELNOTES-0.01 Notes for linux release 0.01]</ref>, since it additionally requires libraries, system tools, compilers, shell, etc. For desktop, server and embedded usage, the Linux kernel is typically combined with packages from the [[GNU project]], in order to realize a usable system; the combination often being termed ‘Linux’ in popular parlance, while the GNU project recommends ‘GNU/Linux’.<ref name="lsag" /> The combination consists of:

* Linux kernel<br /> The Linux kernel is hardware-near software that allows running of the system on a large [[List of Linux supported architectures|variety of computer-architectures]] and implements program scheduling, multitasking, device drivers, memory management, etc.<ref>[http://www.kernel.org/#whatislinux The Linux Kernel Archives]</ref> Torvalds released the Linux kernel under the [[GNU General Public License]] in 1992;<ref name=linux_free>[http://ftp.funet.fi/pub/linux/historical/kernel/old-versions/RELNOTES-0.12 Release Notes for Linux v0.12]</ref> it is however not part of the GNU project.<ref>[http://www.gnu.org/gnu/gnu-linux-faq.html#allgpled Should the GNU/name convention be applied to all programs that are GPL'ed?] GNU/Linux FAQ by Richard Stallman</ref><ref>[http://www.gnu.org/gnu/gnu-linux-faq.html#whyslash Why do you write “GNU/Linux” instead of “GNU Linux”?] GNU/Linux FAQ by Richard Stallman</ref><ref>[http://www.gnu.org/gnu/gnu-linux-faq.html#claimlinux Isn't it wrong for us to label Linus Torvalds' work as GNU?] GNU/Linux FAQ by Richard Stallman</ref><ref>[http://www.gnu.org/gnu/gnu-linux-faq.html#linusagreed Does Linus Torvalds agree that Linux is just the kernel?] GNU/Linux FAQ by Richard Stallman</ref>

* GNU packages<ref name=gnu_packages>[http://www.gnu.org/software/software.html#allgnupkgs All GNU packages] (gnu.org)</ref><ref name=gnu_packages_fsf>[http://directory.fsf.org/wiki/GNU GNU @ Free Software Directory] (fsf.org)</ref><br />The GNU packages consists of numerous operating system tools and utilities ([[Bash (Unix shell)|shell]], [[coreutils]], compilers ([[GNU Compiler Collection|GCC]]), libraries, etc.)<ref name=gnu_packages /><ref name=gnu_packages_fsf /> including a library implementation of all of the functions specified in [[POSIX]] System Application Program Interface (POSIX.1).<ref>[http://www.gnu.org/software/libc/manual/html_node/POSIX.html POSIX - The GNU C Library]</ref><ref>[[GNU_C_Library#A_temporary_fork]]</ref>

There are a number of available [[Linux Distribution|distros]] (distributions) that combine these parts to a usable system, usually also including additional third-party non-GNU components (e.g. kernel modules and user applications and libraries). [[Android (operating system)|Android]] is another operating system, which also uses the Linux kernel but includes different components from most desktop GNU/Linux distributions.

The Linux kernel was originally developed as a free kernel for [[Intel x86]]-based personal computers. It has since been [[porting|ported]] to more computer hardware platforms than any other kernel.{{fact|date=December 2012}} Linux based operating systems are the leading operating system type on [[server (computing)|server]]s and other [[big iron]] systems such as [[mainframe computer]]s and [[supercomputer]]s:<ref name="LinuxDevices">{{cite web | url = http://www.trl.ibm.com/projects/ngm/wp10_e.htm | title = Linux Watch | accessdate =29 September 2009 | last = [[IBM]] | year = 2001 | month = October}}</ref><ref name="IBMLinuxWatch">{{cite web | url = http://www.linuxfordevices.com/c/a/News/Trolltech-rolls-complete-Linux-smartphone-stack/ | title = Trolltech rolls "complete" Linux smartphone stack | accessdate =29 September 2009 | last = Linux Devices | year = 2010 | month = January}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = IBM's newest mainframe is all Linux | url = http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9142007/IBM_s_newest_mainframe_is_all_Linux_ | last = Computerworld | first = Patrick Thibodeau | accessdate =22 February 2009 }}</ref><ref name="rules_supercomputers">{{ cite news | title = Linux rules supercomputers | url = http://www.forbes.com/home/enterprisetech/2005/03/15/cz_dl_0315linux.html | last = Lyons | first = Daniel | accessdate =22 February 2007 | work = Forbes | date = 15 March 2005}}</ref> more than 90% of today's [[TOP500|500 fastest supercomputers]] run some variant of Linux,<ref name="Top500 OS list">{{cite web | url = http://www.top500.org/overtime/list/32/os | title = Top500 OS chart | publisher = Top500.org | accessdate =31 October 2010}}</ref> including the 10 fastest.<ref>{{cite web | author = Henry Burkhardt, KSR | url = http://www.top500.org/lists/2011/06 | title = June 2011 &#124; TOP500 Supercomputing Sites | publisher = Top500.org | accessdate =15 September 2011}}</ref> Linux also runs on [[embedded system]]s (devices where the operating system is typically built into the [[firmware]] and highly tailored to the system) such as mobile phones, [[tablet computer]]s, network [[router (computing)|router]]s, televisions<ref>{{cite web | title = Sony Open Source Code Distribution Service | url = http://products.sel.sony.com/opensource/ | publisher = Sony Electronics | accessdate =8 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Sharp Liquid Crystal Television Instruction Manual | url = http://files.sharpusa.com/Downloads/ForHome/HomeEntertainment/LCDTVs/Manuals/Archive/tel_man_LC32_37_42HT3U.pdf | publisher = Sharp Electronics | accessdate =8 October 2011 | page=24}}</ref> and [[video game console]]s; the [[Android (operating system)|Android]] system in wide use on mobile devices is built on the Linux kernel.