LINUX Full Form
What is the full form of LINUX ?
The Full Form of LINUX is Lovable Intellect Not Using XP. Linux is one of the most prominent open-source Unix-like operating systems, which stands for Lovable Intellect Not Using XP. Linux is used by millions of users and thousands of developers. The growing market trend of Linux is tremendous. It is used in embedded systems, robotic devices, and space shuttles which is just a small part of computer domination.
Linux is based on the Linux kernel, which Linus Torvalds first released in September 1991. A community of developers had come along to compose and integrate the GNU components with the Linux kernel. It was free and complete and was collectively known as Linux.
Initially, Linux could be run only on the Intel 80386 CPU architecture, but now it can run on most operating systems. Linux also runs on devices whose operating system is structured into firmware and is highly connected to the system. This includes routers and smart home devices. It is also used in televisions like Samsung and LG Smart TVs and automobiles such as Tesla, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, etc.
A large developer community continues to compose a diverse range of components in the LINUX system.
History of LINUX
Linus Torvalds enrolled in a Unix course at the University of Helsinki in 1990. He became curious about operating systems and their uses by 1991. After a period, he began working on Linux Kernel, which became his operating system kernel.
Torvalds initiated the development of the Linux kernel on MINIX, which was released as a minimal Unix-like operating system for the ones who wanted to learn operating system principles and primarily students.
Naming
Initially, Linus Torvalds had wanted to call his invention Freax, a blend of "free", "freak", and "x" (as a reference to Unix). Later, Torvalds changed the name to "Linux" after his coworker Ari Lemmke considered 'Linux' a good reputation over 'Freax.'
Characteristics of LINUX
Linux being an interesting operating system, it is necessary to understand the characteristics of Lovable Intellect Not Using XP that makes it so ‘lovable' among the community.
It is portable, and there is provision to work with different types of hardware.
It is open source so that users can use it for free. It can also be developed further to make it more enhanced.
Multiple users can have access to the system.
Linux is secure as there are password protection features and data encryption.
Linux is multi-programming since multiple applications can be run at the same time
Design
Many developers agree that the evolution of Linux was through natural selection and not by design. It was believed that huge numbers of volunteers, by coordinating through the Internet, casually hacked the system and resulting in its evolution. Its quality was maintained by simple strategy and receiving feedback from hundreds of users within days.
Bryan Cantrill, an engineer of a competing OS, said that "Linux wasn't designed; it evolved." A Linux-based system has derived much of its basic structure from principles established in Unix during the 1980s. A monolithic kernel is used in such systems, the Linux kernel handles process control and networking, along with access to the peripherals and file systems.
The Linux system includes the following components sequentially as it is turned on first- bootloader, Kernel, init system, daemons, graphical server, desktop environment, and applications.
The Installed components of a Linux system include the following features –
A bootloader, which is a program that packs the Linux kernel into the computer's main memory system.
An init program, which is at the implantation of the process tree and is the first process launched by the Linux kernel.
Software libraries, which contain code that running processes can use.
C standard library, required to run C programs on a computer system
Basic Unix commands and GNU Coreutils, which is for the standard implementation.
Widget toolkits are the libraries used to build graphical user interfaces (GUIs) for software applications. Many such available widget toolkits are GTK and Clutter, developed by the GNOME project.
A package management system, for example, dpkg and RPM.
User interface programs such as command shells or windowing environments
Development
The primary difference between Linux and many other popular contemporary operating systems is that the Linux kernel and other components are free and open-source software. There is adherence to POSIX, SUS, LSB, ISO, and ANSI standards by the Linux operating system. And therefore, Linux is by far the most widely used.
Managing a remote collection of system software and application software packages by Linux distributions allows users to take up the operating system to their specific needs. Individuals, volunteer organizations, and commercial entities maintain and collect these distributions.
Many large corporations sell and contribute to the advancement of the components of the system, although most of the Linux distributions are available without any charges.
Performance and application
Con Kolivas accused the Linux community of favoring performance on servers in 2007. Thus, the version of Linux on the desktop has been controversial.
Many desktop applications are supported on Linux, such as Mozilla Firefox and Blende, which possess the operating system's downloadable version. Many other applications are available for Microsoft Windows, and macOS also run on Linux.
Uses of LINUX
Most common uses of Linux are given below-
Linux can be used as sever OS and Desktop OS.
Linux can be used as OS for headless server and for embedded devices or appliances.
Linux can be used as Network OS, Software development OS as well as Cloud OS.
Linux is available for gaming, and many games have been released now that are supported by Linux.
Linux is used for digital security. For example, a Debian-based Linux distribution named Kali Linux is designed for digital forensics and penetration testing.
Linux has been used for education purposes. Many distributions have been created on devices such as the Raspberry Pi to provide hands-on trial with coding and source code to freshers.
Linux is also used in Apple devices. For example, Linux kernel 2.6 was installed on the iPhone 3G in 2008.
Advantages of LINUX
The advantages of using Linux over other operating systems that exist in the market are given below-
It is compatible with a vast number of formats of files.
It is readily available to users and is free of cost, and Linux is easily downloadable.
Users can make changes; thus, the operating system is improving and evolving daily.
The LINUX system is very stable because there are no issues of getting crashed or any such provisions of lagging.
The user data is not required for its usage or collection, so the privacy policy is well maintained.
Disadvantages of LINUX
Linux is very user-friendly, but some limitations of the Linux software are cited below-
The software is not provided with hardware drivers.
The command line interface of LINUX can be challenging to understand for beginners.
Many graphic tools are not available on the Linux operating system.
Because of the standard versions in the operating system, it makes the usage difficult for people to choose the best version that will sustain all their requirements.
Market Share
The Linux Market is growing spontaneously. On May 2022, the estimated market share rate of Linux on desktop computers is around 2.5%, according to web server statistics. Surveys during July 2022 estimated that 71.9% of smartphones accessing the Internet worldwide used Android based on the Linux kernel.
In some regions of Spain, they have developed their own Linux distributions, which are mainly used for educational and official purposes, such as gnuLinEx from Extremadura and Guadalinex from Andalusia. Thus, Linux distributions have become popular among various local and national governments.
Copyright and trademark
In the United States, Linus Torvalds has trademarked the name 'Linux,' which prevents others from using it.
Conclusion
Thus, Linux is flexible, reliable, and secure, and a large user community supports it. It is compatible with almost all possible file formats and can run on many devices.
Users with different access rights can use the operating system, and many applications can be run on it thoroughly; thus, Linux is a multi-programming and multi-user operating system.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Linus Torvalds first developed the LINUX software.
Yes, Kernel is the second component of LINUX.
LINUX is free software and can be used by any user.
Intel initially developed Intel 80386 CPU architecture or X86 based on the microprocessor Intel 8086 and its 8088 variants. It is a family of complex instruction set computer (CISC) instruction set architectures.
The command line interface of Linux can be challenging to use for beginners.
MINIX, known as mini-Unix, is a Unix-like operating system. It is based on a microkernel architecture. They were released for students and others who wished to examine operating system principles.
An embedded system which is a combination of a computer processor, computer memory, and input/output peripheral devices, is a computer system. It has a dedicated function within a more extensive mechanical or electronic system. The TiVo Digital Video recorder is an example that uses a customized Linux.
Mobile device market is the most significant consumer market for Linux, where Android is the dominant player of the operating system on smartphones.
Most commonly, C language and Assembly languages are used to write the codes of Linux.