Linux: Difference between revisions

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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.

The development of Linux is one of the most prominent examples of [[free and open source software]] collaboration: the underlying [[source code]] may be used, modified, and distributed—commercially or non-commercially—by anyone under licenses such as the [[GNU General Public License]]. Typically Linux is packaged in a format known as a ''[[Linux distribution]]'' for desktop and server use. Some popular mainstream Linux distributions include [[Debian (operating system)|Debian]] (and its derivatives such as [[Ubuntu (operating system)|Ubuntu]] and [[Linux Mint]]), [[Fedora (operating system)|Fedora]] (and its derivatives such as [[Red Hat Enterprise Linux]] and [[CentOS]]), [[Mandriva Linux|Mandriva]]/[[Mageia]], [[OpenSUSE]], [[Arch Linux]], and [[Gentoo]]. Linux distributions include the Linux kernel, supporting [[System software|utilities]] and [[library (computer science)|libraries]] and usually a large amount of application software to fulfill the distribution's intended use.

A distribution [[Desktop Linux|oriented toward desktop use]] will typically include the [[X Window System]] and an accompanying [[desktop environment]] such as [[GNOME]] or [[KDE Plasma Workspaces|KDE Plasma]]. Some such distributions may include a less resource intensive desktop such as [[LXDE]] or [[Xfce]] for use on older or less powerful computers. A distribution intended to run as a server may omit all graphical environments from the standard install and instead include other software such as the [[Apache HTTP Server]] and an [[SSH server]] such as [[OpenSSH]]. Because Linux is freely redistributable, anyone may create a distribution for any intended use. Applications commonly used with desktop Linux systems include the [[Mozilla Firefox]] web browser, the [[LibreOffice]] office application suite, and the [[GIMP]] image editor.