Linux: What It Is, Its Features & How To Install It

The Linux kernel is the ideal illustration of free and Open Source programming and addresses the genuine pulsating heart of the Working Framework made by Linus Torvalds in 1991. Because of its free nature, it has gotten many updates, prompting the introduction of valuable variants that made the product what it is today. In this aide, we will develop the qualities of the Linux working framework, from today’s Piece to the various dispersions available for use, to find its actual capacity.

What Is The Linux Kernel?

The Linux Kernel comes with a free license that allows anyone to download, use and modify its content. It is designed to enable programmers to experiment and recreate everything they need and eventually share it with the community. The same goes for most software available in the dedicated virtual store. The main Kernel project contains some elements that are not in the public domain to avoid radically changing the system’s heart. 

The Linux Kernel can be considered the core of the Operating System and is the basis of all available distributions. What is available provides everything needed for the system to function. Among its tasks: are the management of primary memory, hardware resources and peripherals that are assigned to the processes to be executed. On its side, we find the Shell, which can be considered the outermost part of an Operating System, in direct contact with those who use the PC. Its main task is to interpret the user’s wishes and to communicate directly with the Kernel, accessing all services.

Who Is Linux Used By?

This question could be answered simply by saying “all” because many sites commonly visited are managed by servers set up thanks to Linux. This is because large companies consider this software safe and reliable, making it perfect for hosting their websites. Furthermore, there is a community of enthusiasts who have made using Linux their profession; among these, we find computer scientists, researchers and all those people who have chosen to use free and customizable resources.

The Linux community is one of the most active on the web, constantly contributing to operating system updates and problem correction operations. They are also among the first developers to make changes and improvements to the software, ensuring constant updates and continuous improvements. All this has led to forming of many groups that have always been working to provide all the necessary support for users.

How To Install Linux?

Before installing, choose the Linux distribution among the many available. Once you have selected the most suitable one, you need to create the boot loader, which is the support that will allow the operating system to start. This can be done via DVD or a USB key, enabling the reuse of the media, which has at least 4 GB of available space. Creating a Linux boot loader will allow you to easily install the Operating System on any PC or try a Demo version of the chosen distribution. If you choose the DVD, burn the ISO of the selected distribution into it. If, on the other hand, you choose the USB stick, you need to download a small free software called Rufus. 

After formatting the key, you can launch the software, locate the path where the USB support is found, select the ISO to be installed and click on Start. In a few minutes, Rufus will automatically build a working bootloader. When the boot disk is ready, restart your PC with the bootable media inserted and follow the instructions on the screen. At this point, it is possible to proceed in three directions: format the PC and install Linux; create a partition on the hard disk and install the new Operating System alongside the old one; try deployment in Live mode. The latter mode consists of a demonstration of the characteristics of the distribution and does not require the actual installation. 

Only the essential functions will start, and you will be able to explore the interface and some features. If you do not intend to proceed with the installation, restart the PC and extract the boot loader to return to the old Operating System. Without losing personal data and installed programs. Linux Live mode is perfect for testing multiple distributions without installing them and for testing hardware behaviors with this Operating System. This function is designed to discover more about the software and understand if it is really the best choice to use; it is also a way to test the different distributions, their functioning, and their compatibility with the available hardware. If you wish to proceed with the installation of Linux, follow the instructions on the screen and continue with the operations.

Linux And Android

Android is the most popular Mobile Operating System in the world, with around 71% of users commonly using it on their smartphones and tablets. At the base of this software. Developed by Google, we find the Linux Kernel, modified and explicitly redesigned to give the best on portable devices. The Linux File System takes care of the management of resources such as memory and peripherals, while the rest is managed by Java, which works on system applications and tools.

Android is present on most of the mobile devices currently on the market and was created by Google starting from the Linux kernel. This makes it less accessible than the original Linux version, with the user unable to modify programs and applications to their liking. The same goes for the most recent Chrome OS, the operating system dedicated to Google’s line of laptops, better known as the Chromebook.

Linux And macOS

macOS is the famous operating system developed by Apple and designed for Macintosh computers. This software also has a starting base built on UNIX, duly modified to make it proprietary, therefore no longer free and Open Source. Much of the reliability and stability of the Mac system depends on Steve Jobs’ intuition to program it starting from a UNIX base. 

Linux And Windows: Operating Systems Compared

The main difference between the two operating systems is that each Linux distribution is free and can be installed without purchasing anything. The same goes for most software that can be obtained for free, unlike Windows. Linux does not include the same programs as its Microsoft counterpart, but it can count on many alternatives that replace most of the most used software. The other big difference is in the customization of the Operating System. On the one hand, we have Open Source software and, therefore, completely modifiable; on the other, a multinational that protects its source code from external tampering.

Linux and Microsoft are the substantial differences between the operating systems and the software available to users. Linux allows those who study computer science or those who work in the sector to discover the world of programming. Microsoft, on the other hand, is a closed system, with less chance for developers to understand the particularities of the software. Regarding security, Linux has stringent protocols, making it extremely difficult to attack. This is due to the unique characteristics of system files which require a password to be entered several times to be modified. Moreover, to gain access to some elements, it is necessary to manually grant the various execution permissions, which makes the intrusion of malware and viruses extremely difficult.

However, Windows is the most used Operating System in the world, making it more prone to cyber-attacks than the competition. Much of the security discourse also depends on the fact that free and open software can be examined by many users, making it easier to identify and fix vulnerabilities. Linux also works on older hardware, while Windows needs performing computers with specific characteristics. Some Linux distributions are specially designed for older PCs; by choosing a minimal style, it is possible to lighten the hardware’s workload to benefit the machine’s speed and performance. Adding or removing functions is also possible, making the OS even more streamlined.

Among the most exciting features of Linux, we find compatibility with somewhat dated PCs that can no longer support an updated Microsoft system. Linux is a very stable Operating System and does not require significant interventions by the user; according to some, it would be possible to leave it running for weeks or even months without ever having to restart the computer. The merit of these performers is due to the File System with which the files are managed, which blocks much of the fragmentation, which is often the cause of Windows problems. The last important element is what concerns the support. In the Open Source world, it is easier to ask for help on one of the available blogs and quickly receive an expert’s opinion.

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