Introduction to Linux

What is Linux?

Linux is a kernel similar to UNIX and MINIX, developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991, for an initiative to provide a free and flexible system for Personal Computers. Linux is an Open-Source System i.e. its source code is accessible to anyone and anyone can use or modify it as they require for their own use or for distribution. As mentioned, Linux actually is a Kernel, not an Operating System on its own. Kernel is low-level software that manages communication between the Operating System and the Hardware of the Computer. Thus, Operating Systems made on Linux Kernel combining software packages and utilities are called Linux Distributions often referred to as Distros. To learn more about Linux Distributions click here.

History of Linux-

Origins (1960s-1980s)-

• Multics Project: In the 1960s, the Multics operating system laid the groundwork for many concepts in modern operating systems, including security and multitasking.
• Unix Development: In 1969, Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, and others at Bell Labs created Unix, which became a significant influence on many operating systems, including Linux.

Early Development (1991)-

• In 1991, Linus Torvalds started working on a personal project to create a free Unix-like operating system. He released the first version (0.01) of the Linux kernel on August 25, 1991, and shared it on the comp.os.minix newsgroup.
• The early releases (0.01 to 0.10) focused on providing a basic operating system kernel that could run on Intel 80386 processors.

Growth and Collaboration (1992-1994)-

• Open-Source Movement: The concept of open-source software gained momentum, with the Free Software Foundation (FSF) promoting free software principles.
• In March 1994, Linux kernel 1.0 was released, marking a significant milestone as it was stable enough for widespread use.

Community and Distributions (1995-2000)-

• Distributions: Various Linux distributions began to emerge, including Slackware, Debian, Red Hat, and SuSE, catering to different user needs.
• Community Contributions: The Linux community expanded rapidly, with developers worldwide contributing to kernel development and applications.

Mainstream Adoption (2000s)-

• Corporate Interest: Companies like IBM, Dell, and HP started adopting Linux for servers, leading to increased investments in Linux development;
• Linux in Enterprises: Linux became popular for web servers and supercomputers, with significant deployments in data centers.

The Rise of Desktop Linux (2000s-2010s)-

• User-Friendly Distributions: Projects like Ubuntu (founded in 2004) aimed to make Linux more accessible to everyday users, enhancing the desktop experience.
• Software Ecosystem: The growth of software available for Linux, including web browsers and office suites, contributed to its popularity on desktops.

Continued Evolution (2010s-Present)-

• Containerization and Cloud: Technologies like Docker (2013) and Kubernetes (2014) leveraged Linux’s capabilities, leading to its dominance in cloud computing and microservices architecture.
• Community and Governance: The Linux Foundation was established in 2000 to promote and protect Linux, facilitating collaboration among companies and developers.
• Ongoing Development: The Linux kernel continues to evolve, with thousands of contributors and regular releases. Major updates improve performance, security, and features.

Linux Operating System Architecture-

1. Hardware– It contains the hardware component on which the Operating System runs, this includes RAM (Random Access Memory), Processor, Storage, I/O Devices, etc.
2. Kernel- Kernel is the core component of an Operating System, it serves as a medium of communication between the hardware and software. Kernel performs various tasks such as-
   • Process Management– Creation, Scheduling and Termination of processes.
   • Memory Management- Allocate and Manage Memory for processes.
   • Device Management- Communicate with Hardware Devices through Drivers.
   • File Management System- Handle Data Storage and Organization.
3. System Libraries- System Libraries are pre-written codes used by different applications to perform specific tasks such File Management, System Calls, Network Communication, etc. These libraries also facilitates faster and efficient application development as developer does not need to rewrite code for common tasks.
4. System Utilities– System Utilities are essential tools and programs that are used in management and configuration of systems. These turn out very handy and useful in various administrative tasks such as network configuration, monitoring system performance, installing software, etc.
5. Shell- Shell acts as command line interface, facilitating communication between the user and the Kernel as it translates user commands and executes them by communicating with Kernel. Shell allows user to perform various tasks such as managing files, configuring system, run programs, etc. Bash (Bourne Again SHell), Zsh (Z Shell), Fish (Friendly Interactive SHell) are a few types of shells that are very commonly found across devices.
6. Applications- An application is a software that provide functionality needed by a user. Applications include software such as Desktop Environment (GNOME/KDE), Web Browsers, Development Tools, etc.