SAY HELLO TO LINUX !

Linux● Refers to the family of Unix-

like computer operating systems using the Linux kernel.

● Linux is the leading server OS, accounting for more than 50% of installations

● Desktop use of Linux has increased in recent years, partly owing to the popular Ubuntu, Fedora, and openSUSE distributions and the emergence of netbooks and smartphones.

Unix● The Unix operating system was

conceived and implemented in 1969 at AT&T's Bell Laboratories Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie,Douglas McIlroy, and Joe Ossanna.

● It was first released in 1971 and was initially entirely written in assembly language.

● Later, in a key pioneering approach in 1973, Unix was re-written in the programming language C by Dennis Ritchie. 

GNUThe GNU Project, started in 1983 by Richard Stallman, had the goal of creating a "complete Unix-compatible software system" composed entirely of free software.

Work began in 1984. Later, in 1985, Stallman started the Free Software Foundation and wrote the GNU General Public License (GNU GPL) in 1989.

By the early 1990s, many of the programs required in an operating system (such as libraries,compilers, text editors, a Unix shell, and a windowing system) were completed.

MINIX

MINIX is an inexpensive minimal Unix-like operating system, designed for education in computer science, written by Andrew S. Tanenbaum.

In 1991 while attending the University of Helsinki, Torvalds, curious about the operating systems and frustrated by the licensing of MINIX limiting it to educational use only (which prevented any commercial use), began to work on his own operating system which eventually became the Linux kernel.

Current Development

Torvalds continues to direct the development of the kernel.

Stallman heads the Free Software Foundation, which in turn supports the GNU components.

Linux vendors and communities combine and distribute the kernel, GNU components, and non-GNU components, with additional package management software in the form of Linux distributions.

Summarized History

Community

A distribution is largely driven by its developer and user communities.

Some vendors develop and fund their distributions on a volunteer basis.

In many cities and regions, local associations known as Linux Users Groups (LUGs) seek to promote their preferred distribution and by extension free software.

They hold meetings and provide free demonstrations, training, technical support, and operating system installation to new users.

Vibrant Gujarat Linux User Group: http://groups.google.com/group/vglug/

Programming on LinuxFor building both Linux applications and operating system programs is found within the GNU toolchain, which includes the GNU Compiler Collection (GCC) and the GNU build system.

Amongst others, GCC provides compilers for Ada, C, C++, Java, and Fortran. Proprietary compilers for Linux include the Intel C++ Compiler, Sun Studio, and IBM XL C/C++ Compiler. 

Most distributions also include support for PHP, Perl, Ruby, Python and other dynamic languages.

A number of Java Virtual Machines and development kits run on Linux, including the original Sun Microsystems JVM (HotSpot).

The two main frameworks for developing graphical applications are those of GNOME and KDE.

There are a number of Integrated development environments available including Anjuta, Code::Blocks, Eclipse, Geany,KDevelop, Lazarus, MonoDevelop, NetBeans, Qt Creator and Omnis Studio while the long-established editors Vim and Emacs remain popular.

Advantages of Linux● Low Cost: You don’t need to spend time and money to obtain licenses

since Linux and much of its software come with the GNU General Public License.

● Stability: Linux doesn’t need to be rebooted periodically to maintain performance levels.

● Performance: Linux provides persistent high performance on workstations and on networks.

● Network Friendliness: Linux was developed by a group of programmers over the Internet and has therefore strong support for network functionality; client and server systems can be easily set up on any computer running Linux.

● Flexibility: Linux can be used for high performance server applications, desktop applications, and embedded systems.

● Compatibility: It runs all common Unix software packages and can process all common file formats.

Advantages of Linux● Choice: The large number of Linux distributions gives you a choice.

● Fast and easy installation: Most Linux distributions come with user-friendly installation and setup programs.

● Full use of Hardisk: Linux continues work well even when the hard disk is almost full.

● Multitasking: Linux is designed to do many things at the same time; e.g., a large printing job in the background won’t slow down your other work.

● Security: Linux is one of the most secure operating systems. “Walls” and flexible file access permission systems prevent access by unwanted visitors or viruses.

● Open Source: If you develop software that requires knowledge or modification of the operating system code, Linux’s source code is at your fingertips.

Linux Distributions: How to Choose One

Ubuntu

Ubuntu Linux is now perhaps the best-known and most popular distribution of Linux.

It is well designed, easy-to-use and has advanced the use of Linux as a desktop operating system more than any other distribution.

Red Hat

Red Hat Linux has been around for a while and has acquired a reputation for consistency and reliability.

It may not be the easiest to use or the most cutting-edge distribution, but it provides the type of high-quality support that is valued by companies, which made it the de-facto standard in corporate America.

Fedora

Fedora Core is a Linux distribution sponsored by Red Hat.

The objectives of Fedora Linux differ from those of Red Hat in that Fedora engages the Open Source community and is more experimental in nature.

Mandriva

Mandriva Linux has been very popular among new and home users.

Installation is particularly user-friendly, and it runs by default the KDE Windows-like graphical desktop environment.

SuSE

SuSE Linux is a serious alternative for Windows users, with solid, user-friendly installation and configuration tools.

Its popularity is held back a little only by somewhat “un-Linux like” business practices, such as not providing ISO installation images for free download.

Knoppix

Knoppix provides an excellent run-from-CD solution, with its powerful hardware detection features and pain-free set-up.

If desired, the system can be optionally installed on the hard disk to improve performance. It also comes with plenty of software.

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