Like Windows, iOS, and Mac OS, Linux is an operating system. Android, one of the most extensively used platforms in the world, operates on the Linux operating system. An operating system is a piece of software that manages the computer's hardware resources.
Linux is the most commonly used operating system around the world. Since Linux was first created for personal computers using the Intel x86 architecture, it has been ported to more platforms than any other operating system. As of May 2022, Linux, including Android, had the greatest installed base of any general-purpose operating system due to the dominance of the Linux-based operating system on smartphones. Although only 2.3 percent of desktop computers are running Linux as of May 2022, the Chromebook, which runs Chrome OS on a Linux kernel, dominates the US K-12 education sector and accounts for about 20 percent of sub-$300 laptop sales in the country. It is not only used by endpoint devices, such as phones, tablets, IoT, and servers but also a variety of network devices like firewalls, routers, and switches, and cloud instances are based on Linux. Since November 2017, Linux has been dominating other huge iron systems like mainframe computers and is the only OS used on TOP500 supercomputers (nearly 96.4 percent of the top 1 million web servers run Linux) (having gradually eliminated all competitors). Which explains why Linux is so popular.
Many Linux versions have the word "Linux" in their names. At the same time, the Free Software Foundation prefers to refer to its operating system as "GNU/Linux" to stress the significance of GNU software, which has generated some debate.
Today, there are many Linux distributions developed by communities and businesses. The most well-known Linux distributions are Debian, Fedora, and Ubuntu. Lubuntu and Xubuntu are just two of the many distinctive distributions and customizations that are included in Ubuntu itself. Commercial Linux distributions include Red Hat Enterprise Linux and SUSE Linux Enterprise, for instance. Desktop Linux distributions include a desktop environment, such as GNOME or KDE Plasma, in addition to a windowing system, such as X11 or Wayland. Graphics may be entirely absent from distributions made for servers, or they may be replaced by a LAMP-style solution stack. Anyone may make a distribution for any purpose because Linux is freely distributable.
Throughout this article, we will go over what Linux is, the history of Linux, what Linux is used for, the benefits of using the Linux OS, the most commonly used Linux distros; the basic features of the Linux system, and whether Linux is Open Source or not, how Linux is different from other OSs. We will also review whether Linux is more or less secure than Windows. Lastly, we will explain installing Zenarmor next-generation firewall on Linux distributions.
What is Linux?
Linux is the most popular and well-known open source operating system used to directly handle a system's hardware and resources, such as the CPU, memory, and storage. Linux serves as an operating system (OS) between software and hardware. It connects your applications to the hardware resources that do the task. Linux is widely utilized in the operating systems of modern supercomputers, smart gadgets, and internet infrastructure equipment. The most well-known of them is the operating system developed by Google, called Android.
What does Linux Include?
The Linux operating system consists of the following components:
Bootloader: The software that controls the computer's launch procedure. For the majority of users, this is merely a welcome screen that appears and disappears as the operating system loads.
Kernel: The fundamental component of the operating system. Without it, the OS cannot function. The kernel is responsible for managing system resources and communicating with hardware. It is responsible for managing memory, processes, and files. The OS's lowest level is the kernel.
Init system: This subsystem is responsible for controlling daemons and bootstrapping the user space. systemd, which is one of the most popular init systems, is also one of the most controversial. The init system manages the launch process after the bootloader (such as GRUB or GRand Unified Bootloader) has completed the initial booting.
Applications: A variety of software that enables the completion of a mission. Apps range from desktop utilities and programming languages to multi-user business suites. Most Linux distributions provide a central repository for searching and downloading additional applications. Linux, like Windows and macOS, offers tens of thousands of high-quality software titles that can be found and installed with relative ease. The vast majority of contemporary Linux distributions include App Store-like utilities that centralize and facilitate application installation. For instance, Ubuntu Linux includes the Ubuntu Software Center (a rebranding of GNOME Software), which enables you to search and install thousands of applications from a central location.
Daemons: These are secondary services (printing, sound, scheduling, etc.) that start up either during launch or after logging into the desktop.
Desktop environment: This is the portion with which consumers interact. There are numerous desktop environments (GNOME, Cinnamon, Mate, Pantheon, Enlightenment, KDE, Xfce, etc.) to choose from. Each desktop environment includes pre-installed applications (file managers, configuration tools, web browsers, and games, for example).
Graphical server: This is the subsystem that displays the graphics on your monitor. It is commonly known as the X server or simply X.
History of Linux
At AT & T's Bell Labs in the United States, the Unix operating system was developed and put into use in 1969 by Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, Douglas McIlroy, and Joe Ossanna. As was customary at the time, Unix was fully in assembly code when it was first published in 1971. Except for a few hardware and I/O routines, Dennis Ritchie rewrote them in the C programming language in 1973, a very innovative move. The ability to develop Unix in a high-level language made it simpler to adapt it to many computing platforms.
Due to an earlier antitrust case prohibiting it from joining the computer industry, AT & T licensed the operating system's source code as a trade secret to anybody who inquired. As a result, Unix expanded swiftly and was widely used by corporations and academic institutions. AT & T started selling Unix as a proprietary product in 1984 after AT & T was freed from its requirement to refrain from entering the computer industry. However, users were not permitted to change Unix under this private product model.
In 1980, Onyx Systems started selling early Unix workstations powered by microcomputers. Sun Microsystems later started selling Unix-based desktop workstations in 1982 after being created as a spin-off of a Stanford University student project. Sun workstations constituted the first successful commercial attempt at delivering a predominantly single-user microcomputer that ran a Unix operating system, despite not using common PC hardware like Linux was later created for.
Richard Stallman launched the GNU Project in 1983 with the intention of developing a "full Unix-compatible software system" made up completely of free software. Work started in 1984. Stallman founded the Free Software Foundation in 1985 and the GNU General Public License (GNU GPL) in 1989, respectively. Many of the operating system programs (such as libraries, compilers, text editors, a command-line shell, and a windowing system) were finished by the early 1990s, but low-level components like device drivers, daemons, and the kernel, known as GNU Hurd, remained stuck and unfinished.
A simple Unix-like operating system called MINIX was developed by computer science professor Andrew S. Tanenbaum and released in 1987 with the intention of teaching operating system fundamentals to students and others. The licensing conditions kept MINIX from being free software until the licensing changed in April 2000, despite the fact that the whole source code was freely accessible.
NetBSD, OpenBSD, and FreeBSD all came from 386BSD, which was made before Linux, even though it wasn't released until 1992 because of legal issues.
Several times, Linus Torvalds, the main developer of the Linux kernel, has admitted that he probably would not have developed Linux if the GNU kernel or 386BSD had been around in 1991.
In the fall of 1990, Torvalds enrolled in a Unix course as a student at the University of Helsinki. "Operating Systems: Design and Implementation" by Andrew S. Tanenbaum was one of the required texts for the course, which made use of a MicroVAX minicomputer running Ultrix. A copy of Tanenbaum's MINIX operating system was provided in this textbook. Torvalds' introduction to Unix came through this course. He started working on his operating system kernel, which ultimately became the Linux kernel, in 1991 after becoming frustrated with MINIX's license, which at the time restricted it to educational use only.
Applications created for MINIX were also utilized on Linux when Torvalds started working on the Linux kernel. Later, as Linux grew older, more Linux kernel development was done on Linux-based systems. Because it was advantageous to use the freely accessible code from the GNU Project with the developing operating system, GNU applications also replaced all MINIX components. Code covered by the GNU GPL can be reused in other software applications as long as those programs are also released under the same or a similar license. The GNU GPL was introduced at Torvalds' initiative as a replacement for his earlier license, which forbade commercial redistribution. The Linux kernel and GNU components were combined by programmers to create a fully functional and open operating system.
What is Linux used for?
Linux is utilized to manage multiple services, such as process scheduling, application scheduling, fundamental peripheral devices, and file systems. Linux can run any type of program you're used to running on Windows or macOS, from basic calculators to sophisticated graphics editing tools.
Kubernetes, Docker, and Open Daylight (used to accelerate the adoption of SDNs and Network Functions Virtualization) are examples of Linux-based products that have had a significant impact on the IT industry and have become indispensable to the tech stacks of a large number of organizations. In addition, cloud service providers favor Linux-based operating systems due to their free and open-source nature.
Linux can be found in a variety of contexts and has the following use cases:
- Headless Systems: Linux is used for headless server systems that do not need a graphical user interface (GUI) or a terminal and keyboard that are directly linked. Headless systems are often used for remotely operated network servers and other devices.
- Network Devices: Linux is a common network operating system for routers, switches, DNS servers, home networking devices, and more. Cisco, for instance, provides a version of the Cisco Internetwork Operating System (IOS) that employs the Linux kernel.
- Embedded Devices: Linux is used as an embedded operating system for a range of applications, such as home appliances, automobile entertainment systems, and network file system appliances with modest computing needs.
- Cloud: Linux is used as a cloud operating system for cloud instances. Major cloud computing service providers provide Linux-powered cloud instances for cloud servers, desktops, and other services.
- Servers: Server operating system for web servers, database servers, file servers, email servers, and other types of shared servers. Linux is well-suited for all sorts of server applications due to its capacity to run high-volume and multithreading applications.
- Desktops: Operating system for desktop productivity computing. Linux is a free, open-source desktop environment for those who prefer it over proprietary operating systems. Linux OS is used for the following purposes by end users:
- Office Jobs: A full office suite, such as LibreOffice, Apache OpenOffice, or Calligra Suite, is generally included with Linux. On Linux, Microsoft Office won't operate natively (although for the dedicated user, we do have some workarounds).However, one of those alternatives will suffice for the majority of customers' office requirements. The majority of them work without a hitch to open, edit, export, and save files. DOC, DOCX, XLSX, PDF, and other extensions. Some even offer more sophisticated features like tracking changes and macros.
- Emailing: In addition to using webmail in a browser, there are several Linux email programs you can use to manage your inbox. Thunderbird and Evolution are a couple of the well-liked options. They frequently provide you with an interface that is more sleek and streamlined than Microsoft Outlook.
- Using a web browser: Web browsers are a necessary component of any modern PC and are always included in Linux desktop packages. Most computers come pre-installed with Firefox or Chromium, but you can also get ordinary Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Brave.
- Gaming: Contrary to popular belief, Linux is compatible with gaming. How is that even doable? This is owing in part to the Linux application Wine, also known as PlayOnLinux, which enables the running of Windows programs on Linux. Even though it's true that many well-known games don't have native Linux versions, Wine enables you to work around this issue.
- Audio and graphic editing: Most distributions will have at least one graphics editing program pre-installed. Unfortunately, without the assistance of the aforementioned Wine tool, you won't be able to install the Adobe Creative Suite on Linux. However, there are several available options, many of which are free, such as GIMP or Inkscape.More sophisticated audio editors and mixers like Cecilia and Mixxx, as well as Audacity, are simple to install on Linux. You can also choose from a wide variety of open-source and free video editors. For more dedicated artists, Linux environments are even available.
- Multimedia Playback and Streaming: Like any other operating system, Linux is completely capable of playing your favorite audio, video, and podcasts. Numerous additional Linux apps will stream music from other locations or play local music, and Spotify provides a native desktop version for Linux. For video, Celluloid and VLC Player both support this.With the file manager and picture viewer that your Linux distribution contains, you can also browse and organize your photo library.
What are the Benefits of Linux OS?
Compared to other operating systems, Linux has the following advantages:
Open Source: Software that is open-source allows anybody to contribute, edit, and improve the source code. Additionally, it is free to download and use by users.
Secure: Compared to Windows operating systems, Linux is more secure and less prone to attack. The administrator must enter a password in order to authorize each program in the application. Linux reduces the likelihood that any malware will be executed in this way.
License expenses: Linux, unlike Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS, does not need explicit license costs. While many Linux companies offer system support for a charge, the OS itself is free to copy and use. Some IT businesses have boosted their savings by migrating from a commercial server operating system to Linux.
Revive outdated computer systems: - Linux, which makes use of antiquated technologies like firewalls, backup servers, low-end systems, etc., can resurrect old and out-of-date PCs.
Reliability: Linux is regarded as a trustworthy operating system and is well-supported with security updates. Linux is also regarded stable, indicating that it can function in the majority of situations. Linux also handles software-related failures and unexpected input.
Easy to update: Linux offers quicker and simpler software updates than Windows does.
Lightweight: Linux is portable. Linux has far fewer system requirements than other operating systems. Linux has a smaller memory footprint and storage space. In general, the majority of Linux distributions needed 128MB or less of RAM and the equivalent amount of disk space.
Easy to manage: With customization, users may quickly add or remove features as desired, as well as add icon sets and wallpapers. Unlike Windows, no restart is required after installing and removing apps.
Backward Compatibility: Linux and other open source software are routinely patched for security and functionality while preserving their fundamental functionality. It is probable that configurations and shell scripts will continue to function normally once software upgrades have been implemented. In contrast to commercial software companies that release new versions of their operating systems along with new modes of operation, Linux and open source programs often do not modify their modes of operation when releasing new versions.
Easy to Install: The Linux installation procedure is quicker than that of Windows and other operating systems. In addition, its installation procedure is much simpler since it involves less human input. It requires little additional system settings and may be readily installed on older devices with little configuration.
Rich Distribution Options: Linux comes in a variety of distributions, or distros, including Fedora, Ubuntu, Arch Linux, Debian, Linux Mint, and others. These distributions give consumers more feature options.
Community Assistance: Linux has huge community support. Linux users obtain help in a variety of places. There are several online forums for customer assistance. Additionally, developers from other open-source communities are willing to assist people.
Ideal for Programming: Linux is widely used by programmers, so there is a wealth of online assistance for faults or situations.
Stability: Linux systems rarely experience performance issues or failures.
Privacy: To protect user privacy, Linux does not gather a lot of information from users.
Efficiency: Without sacrificing efficiency, many networks and workstations can operate concurrently.
Executable File Types: Almost all file types are supported by Linux for execution.
Multitasking: It is a multitasking operating system because it can execute numerous processes concurrently without slowing down the system.
Multiple Desktop Support: Linux system offers numerous desktop environment support for its increased usage. During installation, the desktop environment option may be chosen. Both GNOME (GNU Network Object Model Environment) and KDE (K Desktop Environment) have their own environment, therefore we may choose any desktop environment.
Networking: Linux enables networking with robust networking functionality. The client-server systems are readily adaptable to Linux. It includes a variety of command-line utilities, including ssh, IP, mail, and telnet, for connecting to other computers and servers. The backup of a network is much quicker than other tasks.
Figure 1. Benefits of Using Linux
What are the Disadvantages of Linux OS?
Compared to other operating systems, Linux has the following drawbacks:
System Compatibility: Certain hardware devices receive limited or no support in Linux. This could be due to a number of factors, including the device's lack of an open-source driver or the manufacturer's refusal to provide Linux-compatible drivers.
To avoid hardware compatibility issues, it is essential to verify that your hardware devices are compatible with Linux before installing the operating system. This may involve visiting the manufacturer's website to determine if Linux drivers are available or browsing online for information regarding the compatibility of particular hardware devices.
Although hardware compatibility can be an issue with Linux, taking the time to verify compatibility prior to installing the operating system can help you avoid potential problems and ensure that your hardware devices function as intended. This issue with hardware compatibility is one of Linux's disadvantages.
A Steep Learning Curve: Linux has a harsher learning curve than other operating systems, such as Windows and macOS, which is one of its primary disadvantages. Linux frequently requires command-line interfaces for certain duties, such as software installation and system configuration. This may take some getting used to for users accustomed to graphical user interfaces (GUIs).
Linux offers advanced customizability and flexibility, which means that users may need to learn how to configure various aspects of the system in order to maximize its capabilities. This may require modifying configuration files or using command-line tools, which some users may find intimidating.
In addition, Linux can have a steeper learning curve, but there are numerous user-friendly distributions that can mitigate this issue. These distributions typically include graphical user interfaces that resemble those of other operating systems, as well as software that facilitates the completion of common duties.
Software interoperability: A further potential disadvantage of Linux is that not all software and applications are readily accessible. This is due to the fact that many software developers concentrate on creating applications for Windows and macOS, which have larger user bases. However, users can circumvent this issue in a variety of methods.
Many open-source and free software applications are available for Linux and can be used in lieu of proprietary software. The LibreOffice suite, for instance, provides equivalent functionality to Microsoft Office, while GIMP can be used as an alternative to Adobe Photoshop.
Users can utilize compatibility layers, such as Wine, to execute select Windows applications on Linux. Wine does not support all Windows applications, but it can provide a solution for users who need to execute a specific program.
Unsufficient standardization: The lack of standardization in the Linux ecosystem is another drawback. Unlike Windows and macOS, which have a centralized approach to software distribution and standardization, Linux has a decentralized approach with numerous distributions and package formats.
This fragmentation may result in compatibility issues between different distributions. Some software applications, for instance, may only be available in specific package formats that may not be compatible with all distributions. This results in incompatibility issues when attempting to install software on various distributions, which is extremely aggravating for users.
With the increasing prevalence of Linux and the community's efforts to standardize aspects of the ecosystem, this concern may diminish in the near future.
Lack of Commercial Support: Linux lacks the same level of commercial support as competing operating systems. This can make it difficult for users to obtain assistance when operating system problems or issues arise. For instance, a user may be unable to locate a commercial support team that can assist them with Linux troubleshooting.
Poor Gaming Support: Similarly to software, games do not support Linux natively. Because Linux is not a widely adopted platform, gaming developers have little interest in it. You cannot therefore anticipate your beloved game to function on Linux. In recent years, however, the number of games developed for Linux has increased. Even though you can obtain any game using third-party software, the game will not function as efficiently as it does on a native operating system.
The advantages and disadvantages of Linux are listed in the following table:
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Open Source | System Compatibility |
| Secure & Reliable | A Steep Learning Curve |
| License expenses | Software interoperability |
| Backward Compatible | Unsufficient standardization |
| Easy to install & update & manage | Lack of Commercial Support |
| Lightweight | Poor Gaming Support |
| Community Assistance | |
| Rich Distribution Options | |
| Ideal for Programming | |
| Stability | |
| Privacy | |
| Efficiency | |
| Multitasking | |
| Multiple Desktop Support | |
| Robust networking |
Table 1. Advantages & Disadvantages of Linux
