Linux Distribution
Learning Unit 1
Objectives
• Linux Distribution(Distro)
• Types of Linux Distribution(Distro)
• Open source licensing
• GNU, GPL, FSF
• Pre-installation
• Installation types
• The Shell and GUI
Linux distribution
• A Linux distribution (also known as Linux distro) is an operating
system compiled from components developed by various open source
projects and programmers.
• Each distribution includes:
o The Linux kernel (the foundation of the operating system)
o The GNU shell utilities (the terminal interface and commands),
o The X server (for a graphical desktop)
o The desktop environment,
o A package management system
o An installer and other services
Linux distribution cont..
• Linux distributions compile code from open source projects and combine
it into a single operating system that can be installed and booted up.
• Linux distributions are available for desktop computers, for servers
without a graphical interface, for super computers, for mobile devices,
and for special uses, such as home theater PCs and embedded systems.
• Because it is open source software, anyone can make their own Linux
distribution by assembling it from the source code themselves, or by
modifying an existing distribution.
• Currently, more than 300 Linux distributions are actively maintained.
Types of Linux Distribution(Distro)
• There are commercially backed distributions, such as Fedora, Red Hat, openSUSE (SUSE) and Ubuntu (Canonical
Ltd.), and entirely community-driven distributions, such as Debian, Slackware, Gentoo and Arch Linux.
Ubuntu
• A community-developed Linux distro coordinated by Canonical, Ltd.
• It is currently one of the most popular end-user versions of Linux.
• Ease of use and multi-language support.
Red Hat Enterprise (Red Hat)
• It is a Linux distribution developed by Red Hat for the commercial market.
• Available for servers and desktop.
• It provide middleware and software components, consulting, support, and education service.
• Red Hat is one of the largest Linux distros in the business marketplace.
Fedora
• It is a Red Hat’s end-user Linux distro.
• Fedora creates an innovative, free, and open source platform for hardware, clouds, and containers that enables
software developers and community members to build tailored solutions for their users.
Types of Linux Distribution(Distro)
con..
SUSE and openSUSE
• Released in two major versions namely SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (SLED)
and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES).
Debian
• A community-developed Linux distro managed by the Debian Project.
• Described as an intermediate user’s version of Linux, highly customizable and
powerful distro.
Slackware
• One of the oldest distros still undergoing active development.
• Designed with the twin goals of ease of use and stability as top priorities.
Open source licensing
• Linux is distributed under a software licensing model called open
source.
• With open source licensing, you are free to use, modify, and
redistribute the original programming code, provided you comply
with specific terms of the license.
• There are many open source licenses under which software can be
distributed.
• Linux follows the GNU Public License, or GPL.
GNU, GPL, FSF
• GPL have been developed by Free Software Foundation (FSF)
• The GNU Public License is one of the premier open source licensing models.
• GPL software is free software.
According to GPL, what is a free software?
Means you may:
• Use the software on one or more computers
• Copy and distribute the program in compiled or source code version
• Modify the program and distribute the modified version
Provided that:
• All copies you distribute are covered by the GPL
• Any copies you distribute include a copyright notice, exclusion of warranty, and a copy of the
GPL.
• Any copies you distribute include the source code or an offer to make the source code available.
Pre-installation
• Before you can install Linux, you generally perform the following
tasks:
• Select the installation type
• Download the appropriate installation files.
• If necessary, burn an ISO image to disc
Installation types
• CD/DVD media: Purchase or receive CD or DVD media and use it to
install
• ISO file: download an ‘image’, use disk burning software to create your
own CD or DVD installation media and then install using those discs.
• Installation live CD: download an ISO file, burn it to a disc and then
install.
• Network File System (NFS): connect to a network drive that contains
your Linux installation files and load the installer from there.
• Netinst: download a small bootable file, which you store on a USB
drive, an optical disc, or even a floppy drive.
,
The ShellNote that Linux commands are case sensitive
• When we speak of the command line, we are really referring to
,
the shell.
• The shell is a program that takes keyboard commands and
passes them to the operating system to carry out.
• The Shell is an interface that gives you access to your computer’s
Operating System.
• Think of it as a wrapper around your Operating System -
technically it wraps around your Operating System’s Kernel.
• Hence the name Shell - a shell/protective barrier - around the
brain/core of your computer.
• Almost all Linux distributions supply a shell program from the
GNU Project called bash.
• The Kernel is a computer program, that is, the core/heart of
your computer's Operating System.
• It connects all your computers application software to the
hardware of your computer
Graphical User Interface (GUI)
,
• GUI permits users to use the graphics to interact
with an operating system.
• In graphical user interface, menus are provided
such as : windows, scrollbars, buttons, wizards,
painting pictures, alternative icons etc.
• It’s easy to use, understand and simple to find out.
Try Some Simple Commands
Note that Linux commands
are case sensitive
• cal displays a calendar of the current month
• df displays the current amount of free space on your disk drives
• free to display the amount of free memory
• exit command the terminal session.
• ls command is used to list files or directories in Linux and other Unix-
based operating systems
.
Thank you
