Simple Guide to Linux

What is OS? An Operating System (OS) is system software that acts as an interface between computer’s hardware and the user/application programs. It manages hardware resources (CPU, Memory, Storage) and provides a platform to run software applications efficiently and securely.

Without it, you couldn’t run applications or interact with your computer. Every system will have one OS to run other programs and perform tasks.

Types of Operating systems: Some of the most common operating systems are Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android, iOS, Windows Server, Ubuntu Server…

Linux: Linux is a free and open-source operating system with high security & stability. It acts as the bridge between your computer’s hardware and the software you run.

History of Linux: Linus Torvalds, a student at the University of Helsinki in Finland, began a personal project to create a new free operating system kernel. Inspired by MINIX, a small Unix-like operating system, he aimed to develop something better. He named his project "Linux," combining "Linus" and "Unix."

At its core, Linux is built around the Linux kernel, which is responsible for managing hardware and system resources. The Linux kernel is primarily written in the C programming language.

On September 17, 1991, Linus released the first version of the Linux kernel, called Linux 0.01, as open-source software.

At first, Linux had a restrictive license, but in 1992, Torvalds changed the license to the GNU General Public License (GPL), allowing anyone to use, modify, and share it freely.

Key features of Linux:

• Process Management: Manages running programs (called processes), multitasking, and CPU scheduling.

• Memory Management: Allocates and monitors system memory usage.

• File System Management: Organizes data hierarchically with permissions and access control.

• Multitasking & Multiuser Support: Linux has multiuser and multitasking capabilities.

• Used in many systems: servers, desktops, mobile phones (Android), supercomputers, IoT devices, and more.

• Security: Uses permissions, encryption, and firewalls to protect data and resources.

• Networking: Manages network connections and services (TCP/IP, SSH, FTP, etc.).

Linux Distributions: Linux is built around open-source principles, meaning anyone can view, use, modify, and share the code. It has grown with contributions from companies and individuals worldwide.

Linux-based systems are called distributions (“distros”). The different versions of Linux are Ubuntu, RedHat, Centos, Debian, Amazon Linux, Kali Linux, Fedora…

Architecture of Linux:

Key Components of Linux: Linux is made up of several core components that work together to form a complete and functional operating system. Here are the main components of a Linux system:

• Kernel: The Linux kernel is the core part of a Linux operating system. It’s a low-level system software that acts as a bridge between hardware and software. It controls how everything in the system interacts — from memory and CPU to devices and applications.

• Shell (Command-Line Interface): The shell is the interface through which users interact with the kernel. It interprets commands/scripts from the user or from programs and passes them to the kernel.
  Popular shells: Bash, Zsh, Fish, Ksh.

• System Libraries: Predefined functions that allow applications to interact with the kernel.

• System Utilities: Command-line tools for managing files, users, processes, and networking.

Command: A command is an instruction/request given by a user to a computer to perform a specific task. In Linux (and other operating systems), commands are typed into a command-line interface (CLI), such as the terminal or shell.

Terminal: A terminal in Linux is a text-based interface that allows users to interact directly with the operating system by typing and executing commands. It serves as a bridge between the user and the system, enabling tasks like running programs, managing files, installing software, scripting, and system administration through a command-line interface (CLI).

Why Linux Stands Out?

• Open Source: Anyone can view, modify, and distribute the code.

• Flexible & Lightweight: Runs on everything from IoT devices to supercomputers.

• Stable & Reliable: Rarely crashes and handles heavy workloads efficiently.

• Secure: Less vulnerable to malware and viruses compared to other OSs.

CONCLUSION
Linux is a powerful, open-source operating system that's the foundation of much of today’s technology — from web servers to Android phones. It's known for its speed, security, and flexibility, making it a popular choice for developers, IT professionals, and everyday users alike.

Whether you're switching from another OS or just exploring what Linux has to offer, now is a great time to dive in. Start with a beginner-friendly distro like Ubuntu or RedHat and take your first steps using the terminal.

Stay tuned for future posts where we’ll explore Linux commands, tools, and tips to help you get comfortable and confident. If you have questions or thoughts, feel free to leave a comment or share this with fellow tech enthusiasts!

Happy exploring!