Open Source:
Linux is developed and distributed under an open-source license, allowing users to view, modify, and distribute the source code freely. This fosters collaboration, innovation, and community-driven development.
Kernel:
The Linux kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, responsible for managing hardware resources, providing system services, and facilitating communication between software applications and hardware devices.
Distributions:
Linux distributions (distros) package the Linux kernel together with a collection of software components, utilities, libraries, and package management systems to create complete operating system packages. Examples of Linux distributions include Ubuntu, CentOS, Debian, and Fedora.
Multiuser:
Linux is a multiuser operating system, meaning that it supports multiple users accessing the system simultaneously, each with their own user account, permissions, and resources.
Multitasking:
Linux supports multitasking, allowing multiple processes to run concurrently on the system and share system resources such as CPU, memory, and I/O devices.
Filesystem:
Linux uses a hierarchical filesystem structure, with directories (folders) containing files and other directories. The root directory ("/") is the top-level directory in the filesystem hierarchy.
Shell:
Linux provides a command-line interface (CLI) called the shell, which allows users to interact with the operating system by typing commands. Common Linux shells include Bash (Bourne Again SHell), Zsh (Z Shell), and Tcsh (Tenex C Shell).
Package Management:
Linux distributions use package managers (e.g., apt, yum, pacman) to install, update, and remove software packages from the system, simplifying software management and dependency resolution.
Security:
Linux includes robust security features such as user permissions, access control lists (ACLs), firewall capabilities, encryption, and auditing tools to protect against security threats and vulnerabilities.
Flexibility:
Linux is highly customizable and configurable, allowing users to tailor the operating system to their specific needs and preferences. This flexibility extends to desktop environments, window managers, and software applications.
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