Understanding Linux: The Powerful OS Driving the Cloud

Most people use Linux daily without realizing it. From Android phones to cloud servers, Linux powers the modern world — but what is it really? Let’s break it down, one layer at a time.

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What is an Operating System (OS)?

An operating system is the middle layer between you and your hardware or in simple terms an Operating System is a software that manages hardware and resources.

• Examples: Linux, Windows, macOS.

• Linux manages:

• CPU time (which app gets to run and when)

• RAM allocation

• Disk I/O (reading/writing files)

• Network bandwidth

• Permissions and user access

What Are Hardware and Resources?

• Hardware = the physical machine (CPU, RAM, SSD, motherboard)

• Resources = the "chunks" of those hardware components that software can use

What is UNIX ?

UNIX is a family of Operating Systems(OS), usually a specified distribution. Unix is a multi-user, multitasking operating system designed to be portable, secure, and efficient, mainly used in servers, workstations, and developer environments.

What is LINUX ?

LINUX is a family of UNIX-Like OS, usually a specific distribution. Originally developed as an effort to create a free, “open-source” UNIX-OS

Key LINUX features are:

• Free & Open-source

• Secure

• Multi-user

• Multi-tasking

• Portable

Why LINUX and not UNIX for Cloud?

Hardware compatibility, as LINUX runs on almost everything and UNIX is bound to specific hardware and licensing. { e.g.: UNIX is tied to IBM (AIX), Solaris, HP-UX …}. LINUX is cloud ready and UNIX is not because its a hardware-dependent OS.

Multitasking in Linux: Preemptive, Background, Foreground, Cooperative

Linux is a multitasking OS, and here's how it works behind the scenes:

Preemptive Multitasking:

The OS decides which task runs and for how long. If one task takes too long, Linux can pause it and switch to another. It’s like a timekeeper giving each process its fair share.

Cooperative Multitasking:

Tasks voluntarily give up control when they’re done or waiting. If one task misbehaves, it can freeze the whole system — which is why Linux prefers preemptive mode for stability.

Foreground vs Background:

• Foreground: You run a command, and the terminal waits until it finishes (e.g., python script.py)

• Background: Add & to the end to run it in the background (e.g., python script.py &) — now you can keep using the terminal while it works silently.

Linux schedules these tasks using a mix of fair usage, priorities, and context switching.

Final Thoughts

Linux isn’t just an "alternative OS" — it’s the core engine behind modern computing. From powering cloud infrastructure to enabling automation in DevOps, Linux is where the real work happens. If you're aiming for roles in cloud, backend, or infrastructure, understanding Linux is non-negotiable.

Getting comfortable with Linux means you're no longer guessing what’s happening under the hood — you're controlling it.