02-Linux Principles and Philosophy
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afiqah02-Linux Principles and Philosophy
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afiqahLinux's
Principles
and
Philosophy
Linux's Origins
Linux was created in 1991 by Linus Torvalds, a computer science student in Finland.
It was initially developed as a hobby project, but quickly gained popularity and attracted a
community of developers who contributed to its development.
Linux is based on Unix, a popular operating system used in the 1970s and 1980s.
The Linux kernel is the core of the operating system and is responsible for managing resources
and providing services to applications.
Linux is open source software, which means it is free to use, modify, and distribute.
It has become a popular choice for servers, supercomputers, and embedded systems, as well as
for desktop and laptop computers.
Linux has also inspired the development of other open source projects, such as Android, which is
based on the Linux kernel.
Latest Development
Linux Kernel: Latest LTS is 6.6.32 and current stable version is 6.9.3 and mainline is 6.10-rc2, with new
features including improved performance and scalability, updated drivers, and support for new
hardware.
Containerization: Continued growth in popularity with tools like Docker and Kubernetes, allowing for
easier deployment and management of applications.
Systemd: Widely adopted as the default init system for many Linux distributions, providing a range of
system management and service control features.
Wayland Display Server: Increasingly used as a replacement for the older X Window System, providing
better security, improved performance, and more modern features.
Security Enhancements: Ongoing efforts to improve Linux security, with features like kernel lockdown
mode, improved virtualization support, and enhanced encryption options.
Desktop Environments: Popular options include GNOME, KDE, and Xfce, each with their own unique
features and design philosophies. Development efforts continue to focus on improving performance,
usability, and accessibility.
Categories of Software
Commercial software is developed by companies
with the purpose of generating profits by selling
licenses or subscriptions.
Shareware is a type of commercial software that
allows users to try the product before purchasing it.
Freeware, on the other hand, is software that can
be used and distributed free of charge.
Open source software is created and
maintained by a community of developers who
freely share the source code, allowing users to
modify and distribute it as they see fit.
Why Open Source?
It often produces better code as many developers
work together to create and refine it.
Open source software provides more flexibility for
users to customize and tailor it to their specific
needs.
It typically has lower costs than proprietary software
as it is free to use and distribute.
Open source software reduces the risk of vendor
lock-in, meaning users are not tied to a particular
vendor and can switch to another provider without
significant costs or challenges.
The Role of Operating Systems (OS)
Operating systems play different roles depending on
the type of computer they are used on:
For embedded computers, the OS is responsible
for managing the hardware resources and
providing a platform for the applications to run.
Desktop and laptop OSes are designed for
personal computing and provide a user-friendly
interface for running applications, managing files,
and accessing the internet.
Server OSes are optimized for managing network
resources, providing security, and running server
applications such as web servers, email servers,
and database servers.
Embedded Computers
Here are some examples of embedded computers:
Smartphones and tablets
Wearable devices like smartwatches and fitness
trackers
Home appliances such as refrigerators, ovens,
and washing machines
Automotive systems like engine control units and
infotainment systems
Industrial machines and equipment
Medical devices such as pacemakers and insulin
pumps
Aerospace and defense systems like navigation
systems and avionics.
Desktop and Laptop Computers
Wayland is a protocol for displaying graphical applications on
Linux and other Unix-like operating systems.
Desktop environments are graphical interfaces designed to make
it easy for users to interact with their computers. Examples
include GNOME, KDE, and Xfce.
Web browsers are software applications used to access the
World Wide Web. Popular web browsers include Google Chrome,
Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge.
Graphics editors are software applications used to create and edit
digital images. Examples include GIMP, Inkscape & Blender.
Office suites are software applications used for productivity tasks
such as word processing, spreadsheet creation, and presentation
design. Examples include Google Docs, LibreOffice & WPS
Office.
Server Computers
Web servers are used to host websites and serve web pages to
users.
Email servers allow for the sending and receiving of emails.
Databases store and manage data, allowing for efficient retrieval
and modification.
File servers store and manage files, allowing for easy access and
sharing among users.
Print servers manage print jobs sent from multiple computers to a
printer.
DNS servers translate domain names into IP addresses, allowing for
communication between devices.
DHCP servers assign IP addresses to devices on a network,
allowing for automatic network configuration.
