Unit 3.

Introduction of Linux

Unit 3. Introduction of Linux

Introduction of Linux versions
Components of Linux
Comparison of Windows and Linux
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 Introduction of Linux
In the simple language Linux is an operating system (OS). We all are familiar with
other operating systems like Microsoft windows, Apple Mac OS, iOS, Google android, etc,
just like them Linux is also an operating system.
An operating system is software that enables communication between computer
hardware and software. It conveys input to get processed by the processor and brings
output to the hardware to display it. This is the basic function of an operating system.
Although, it performs many other important tasks, let's not talk about that.
Linux is around us since mid 90s. It can be used from wristwatches to
supercomputers. It is everywhere in our phones, laptops, PCs, cars and even in
refrigerators. It is very much famous among the developers and normal computer users.

Open Source Operating System

 Most OS come in a compiled format means the main source code has run through a
program called compiler that translates the source code into a language which is
known to the computer.
 Modifying this compiled code is really a tough job. On the other hand, open source is
completely different. The source code is included with the compiled version and
allows modification by anyone having some knowledge.
 It gives us freedom to run the program, freedom to change the code according to
our use, freedom to redistribute its copies and freedom to distribute copies which are
modified by us.
 In short, Linux is an operating system that is "for the people, by the people".

 History and Evolution of Linux

 In 1991, Linus Torvalds a student at the University of Helsinki, Finland, thought to
have a freely available academic version of Unix started writing its own code. Later
this project became the Linux kernel.
 He wrote this program especially for his own PC as he wanted to use Unix 386 Intel
computer but couldn't afford it.
 He did it on MINIX using GNU C compiler. GNU C compiler is still the main choice to
compile Linux code but other compilers are also used like Intel C compiler.
 He started it just for fun but ended up with such a large project. Firstly he wanted to
name it as 'Freax' but later it became 'Linux'.
 He published the Linux kernel under his own license and was restricted to use as
commercially. Linux uses most of its tools from GNU software and are under GNU
copyright. In 1992, he released the kernel under GNU General Public License.
 Linux Today
Today, supercomputers, smart phones, desktop, web servers, tablet, laptops and
home appliances like washing machines, DVD players, routers, modems, cars, refrigerators,
etc use Linux OS.

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Unit 3. Introduction of Linux

 What is the difference between UNIX and Linux?

You may have heard of Unix, which is an operating system developed in the 1970s at
Bell Labs by Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, and others. UNIX and Linux are similar in many
ways, and in fact, Linux was originally created to be similar to Unix. Both have similar tools
for interfacing with the systems, programming tools, file system layouts, and other key
components. However, Unix is not free. Over the years, a number of different operating
systems have been created that attempted to be “unix-like” or “unix-compatible”, but Linux
has been the most successful, far surpassing its predecessors in popularity.

 Basic Features
Following are some of the important features of Linux Operating System.

1) Portable − Portability means software can works on different types of hardware in

same way. Linux kernel and application program supports their installation on any kind
of hardware platform.
2) Open Source − Linux source code is freely available and it is community based
development project. Multiple teams work in collaboration to enhance the capability of
Linux operating system and it is continuously evolving.
3) Multi-User − Linux is a multiuser system means multiple users can access system
resources like memory/ ram/ application programs at same time.
4) Multiprogramming − Linux is a multiprogramming system means multiple applications
can run at same time.
5) Hierarchical File System − Linux provides a standard file structure in which system
files/ user files are arranged.
6) Shell − Linux provides a special interpreter program which can be used to execute
commands of the operating system. It can be used to do various types of operations,
call application programs. etc.
7) Security − Linux provides user security using authentication features like password
protection/ controlled access to specific files/ encryption of data.

 The architecture of Linux Operating System

The architecture of a Linux System consists of the following layers −
1) Hardware layer − Hardware consists of all peripheral devices (RAM/ HDD/ CPU etc).
2) Kernel − It is the core component of Operating System, interacts directly with
hardware, provides low level services to upper layer components.
3) Shell − An interface to kernel, hiding complexity of kernel's functions from users. The
shell takes commands from the user and executes kernel's functions.
4) Utilities − Utility programs that provide the user most of the functionalities of an
operating systems.

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Unit 3. Introduction of Linux

 The benefits of Linux OS OR Why Use Linux?

1) The main advantage of Linux was that programmers were able to use the Linux Kernel
to design their own custom operating systems.
2) With time, a new range of user-friendly OS's stormed the computer world. Now, Linux is
one of the most popular and widely used Kernel, and it is the backbone of popular
operating systems like Debian, Knoppix, Ubuntu, and Fedora.
3) Nevertheless, the list does not end here as there are thousands of OS's based on Linux
which offer a variety of functions to the users.
4) Being open-source, anyone with programming knowledge can modify it.
5) The Linux operating systems now offer millions of programs/applications to choose from,
most of them free!
6) Once you have Linux installed you no longer need an antivirus! Linux is a highly
secure system. More so, there is a global development community constantly looking at
ways to enhance its security. With each upgrade, the OS becomes more secure and
robust
7) Linux is the OS of choice for Server environments due to its stability and reliability
(Mega-companies like Amazon, Facebook, and Google use Linux for their Servers).
8) A Linux based server could run non-stop without a reboot for years on end.

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Unit 3. Introduction of Linux

Introduction of Linux versions

 What is a Linux Distribution?

Well, now as you know that Linux is open-source, free to use kernel. It is used by
programmers, organizations, profit and non-profit companies around the world to create
Operating systems to suit their individual requirements.
To prevent hacking attempts, many organizations keep their Linux operating systems
private. Many others make their variations of Linux available publicly so the whole world can
benefit at large. These versions/ types /kinds of Linux operating system are called
Distributions.
The latest example of one of the most popular Smartphone-based Linux Distribution is
Android!
Here, are a few popular Linux Distributions (also called Linux Distro)
Linux Distribution Name Description
This Linux Distro is popular
Arch amongst Developers. It is an
independently developed system. It
is designed for users who go for a
do-it-yourself approach.
It is one of the most used Linux
Distribution for enterprise and web
CentOS servers. It is a free enterprise class
Operating system and is based
heavily on Red Hat enterprise
Distro.
Another Linux kernel based Distro,
is supported by the Fedora project,
Fedora an endeavor by Red Hat. It is
popular among desktop users. Its
versions are known for their short
life cycle.
Debian is a stable and popular non
Commercial Linux distribution. It is
Debian widely used as a desktop Linux
Distro and is user oriented. It
strictly acts within the Linux
protocols.
It is a source based Distribution
which means that you need to
Gentoo configure the code on your system
before you can install it. It is not for
Linux beginners, but it is sure fun
for experienced users.
It is one of the most popular
Desktop Distributions available out
LinuxMint there. It launched in 2006 and is
now considered to be the fourth
most used Operating system in the
computing world.

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Unit 3. Introduction of Linux

This is the third most popular

desktop operating system after
Ubuntu Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac
OS. It is based on the Debian Linux
Distribution, and it is known as its
desktop environment.
Slackware is one of the oldest Linux
kernel based OS's. It is another
easy desktop Distribution. It aims
Slackware at being a 'Unix like' OS with
minimal changes to its kernel.

Another popular enterprise based

Linux Distribution is Red Hat
Enterprise. It has evolved from Red
RedHat Hat Linux which was discontinued in
enterprise 2004. It is a commercial Distro and
very popular among its clientele.

It is an easy to use and a good

alternative to MS Windows. It can
be easily set up and can also run on
OpenSUSE
small computers with obsolete
configurations.

Components of Linux
Linux is one of popular version of UNIX operating System. It is open source as its source
code is freely available. It is free to use. Linux was designed considering UNIX compatibility.
Its functionality list is quite similar to that of UNIX.
Components of Linux System

Linux Operating System has primarily three components

1. Kernel − Kernel is the core part of Linux. It is responsible for all major activities of this
operating system. It consists of various modules and it interacts directly with the
underlying hardware. Kernel provides the required abstraction to hide low level
hardware details to system or application programs.
2. System Library − System libraries are special functions or programs using which
application programs or system utilities accesses Kernel's features. These libraries
implement most of the functionalities of the operating system and do not requires
kernel module's code access rights.
3. System Utility − System Utility programs are responsible to do specialized, individual
level tasks.

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Unit 3. Introduction of Linux

 Kernel Mode vs User Mode

Kernel component code executes in a special privileged mode called kernel mode with full
access to all resources of the computer. This code represents a single process, executes in
single address space and do not require any context switch and hence is very efficient and
fast. Kernel runs each process and provides system services to processes, provides
protected access to hardware to processes.
Support code which is not required to run in kernel mode is in System Library. User
programs and other system programs works in User Mode which has no access to system
hardware and kernel code. User programs/ utilities use System libraries to access Kernel
functions to get system's low level tasks.

Comparison of Windows and Linux

Windows:
Windows may be a commissioned OS within which ASCII text file is inaccessible. It’s
designed for the people with the angle of getting no programming information and for
business and alternative industrial users. It’s terribly straightforward and simple to use.
The distinction between Linux and Windows package is that Linux is completely freed from
price whereas a window is marketable package and is expensive. Associate operating
system could be a program meant to regulate the pc or computer hardware Associate
behaves as an treater between user and hardware.

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Unit 3. Introduction of Linux

Linux:
Linux could be a free and open supply OS supported operating system standards. It
provides programming interface still as program compatible with operating system primarily
based systems and provides giant selection applications. A UNIX operating system
additionally contains several severally developed parts, leading to UNIX operating system
that is totally compatible and free from proprietary code.

Following is the Differences between Linux and Windows

1. Linux is open source operating system whereas Windows OS is commercial.
2. Linux has access to source code and alters the code as per user need whereas Windows
does not have access to source code.
3. Linux will run faster than windows latest editions even with a modern desktop
environment and features of the operating system whereas windows are slow on older
hardware.
4. Linux distributions don’t collect user data whereas Windows collect all the user details
which lead to privacy concern.
5. Linux is more reliable then windows as in Linux we can kill application if they hung
through x kill command whereas, in windows, we need to try multiple times to kill it.
6. Linux supports a wide variety of free software’s than windows but windows have a
large collection of video game software.
7. In Linux software cost is almost free as all programs, utilities, complex applications such
as open office are free but windows also have many free programs and utilities but most
of the programs are commercial.
8. Linux is highly secure because it’s easy to identify bugs and fix whereas Windows has
a large user base and becomes a target for developers of viruses and malware.
9. Linux is used by corporate organizations as servers and operating system for security
purpose at Google, Facebook, twitter etc. whereas windows are mostly used by gamers
and business users.
10. Linux and windows have same priority over hardware and driver support in the present
situation

Linux vs. Windows: Comparison

1) Windows Vs. Linux File System
In Microsoft Windows, files are stored in folders on different data drives like C: D: E:
But, in Linux, files are ordered in a tree structure starting with the root directory.

This root directory can be considered as the start of the file system, and it further branches
out various other subdirectories. The root is denoted with a forward slash '/'.

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Unit 3. Introduction of Linux

A general tree file system on your Linux may look like this.

Types of Files
In Linux and UNIX, everything is a file. Directories are files, files are files, and devices like
Printer, mouse, keyboard etc. are files.
Let's look into the File types in more detail.

1. General Files
General Files also called as Ordinary files. They can contain image, video, program or
simply text. They can be in ASCII or a Binary format. These are the most commonly
used files by Linux Users.
2. Directory Files
These files are a warehouse for other file types. You can have a directory file within a
directory (sub-directory).You can take them as 'Folders' found in Windows operating
system.
3. Device Files:
In MS Windows, devices like Printers, CD-ROM, and hard drives are represented as drive
letters like G: H:. In Linux, there are represented as files. For example, if the first SATA
hard drive had three primary partitions, they would be named and numbered as
/dev/sda1, /dev/sda2 and /dev/sda3. Note: All device files reside in the directory /dev/
All the above file types (including devices) have permissions, which allow a user to read,
edit or execute (run) them. This is a powerful Linux/Unix feature. Access restrictions can be
applied for different kinds of users, by changing permissions.

2) Windows Vs. Linux: Users

There are 3 types of users in Linux.

1. Regular
2. Administrative (root)
3. Service

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Unit 3. Introduction of Linux

i. Regular User
A regular user account is created for you when you install Ubuntu on your system. All your
files and folders are stored in /home/ which is your home directory. As a regular user, you
do not have access to directories of other users.
ii. Root User
Other than your regular account another user account called root is created at the time of
installation. The root account is a superuser who can access restricted files, install software
and has administrative privileges. Whenever you want to install software, make changes to
system files or perform any administrative task on Linux; you need to log in as a root user.
Otherwise, for general tasks like playing music and browsing the internet, you can use your
regular account.
iii. Service user
Linux is widely used as a Server Operating System. Services such as Apache, Squid, email,
etc. have their own individual service accounts. Having service accounts increases the
security of your computer. Linux can allow or deny access to various resources depending
on the service.
Note:
1. You will not see service accounts in Ubuntu Desktop version.
2. Regular accounts are called standard accounts in Ubuntu Desktop
In Windows, there are 4 types of user account types.
1) Administrator
2) Standard
3) Child
4) Guest

3) Windows Vs. Linux: File Name Convention

In Windows, you cannot have 2 files with the same name in the same folder. While in Linux,
you can have 2 files with the same name in the same directory, provided they use different
cases.

4) Windows Vs. Linux: HOME Directory

For every user in Linux, a directory is created as /home/
Consider, a regular user account "tom". He can store his personal files and directories in the
directory "/home/tom". He can't save files outside his user directory and does not have
access to directories of other users. For instance, he cannot access directory "/home/jerry"
of another user account "Jerry". The concept is similar to C:\Documents and Settings in
Windows. When you boot the Linux operating system, your user directory (from the above
example /home/tom) is the default working directory. Hence the directory
"/home/tom is also called the Home directory which is a misnomer.

5) Windows Vs. Linux: Other Directories

In Windows, System and Program files are usually saved in C: drive. But, in Linux,
you would find the system and program files in different directories. For example, the boot
files are stored in the /boot directory, and program and software files can be found under
/bin, device files in /dev. Below are important Linux Directories and a short description of
what they contain.

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